title: Maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight in Karachi: a case-control study.
abstract: To evaluate maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) among women aged 15-35 years, we carried out a hospital-based, case-control study on 262 cases (mothers of neonates weighing < or = 2.5 kg) and 262 controls (mothers of neonates weighing > 2.5 kg). Odds of delivering a low-birth-weight baby decreased with increase in maternal haemoglobin [odds ratio (OR): 0.701; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62-0.79]. Odds were greater among mothers not using iron supplements during pregnancy (OR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.83-4.54). Mothers of LBW babies had lower haemoglobin levels before delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. sameera.rizvi@aku.edu
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hatcher
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jehan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Qureshi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins