Maternal risk factors and pregnancy complications associated with low birth weight neonates in preterm birth

Abstract

Aim: To explore the association between common pregnancy complications and low birth weight (LBW) neonates in preterm birth.

Methods: The study included 1764 pregnant women who experienced a single birth prematurely at a city hospital in Guangzhou, China between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019. A total of 874 normal birth weight neonates and 890 LBW neonates were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify and measure risk factors; two-tailed test was applied, with a p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Hypertension was the primary risk factor of LBW in preterm neonates, odds ratio (OR) = 2.912 (p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.044-4.149), followed by hypothyroidism, OR = 1.807 (p = 0.046; 95% CI, 1.012-3.226), placental abruption, OR = 1.759 (p = 0.049; 95% CI, 1.002-3.087), reproductive tract infection, OR = 1.746 (p < 0.001; 95% CI, 1.325-2.301), abnormal amniotic fluid volume, OR = 1.737 (p = 0.003; 95% CI, 1.202-2.501), and fetal distress OR = 1.690 (p = 0.012; 95% CI, 1.120-2.551).

Conclusion: Preventing risk factors, such as hypertension, hypothyroidism, and reproductive tract infections, during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of LBW neonates.

Keywords: low birth weight; neonates; pregnancy complications; preterm birth.