Prevalence of Low Birth Weight and Comparison of Many Biological Characteristics of Low Birth Weight - Newborns, Mothers with those of normal weight- newborn's counterparts

The prevalence of low birth weight is one of the important sanitary indices in evaluating the prenatal care all over the world. So, recognition of risky factor related to low birth weight can help prevent the occurrence of being low birth weight. To determine the pravalence of low birth weight in Guilan and comparison of many biological characteristics of mothers of low birth weight babies with those of the mothers with normal weight babies. In this descriptive- analytical study, first, all newborn babies in 20 hospitals and maternity centers between Day (Jan.2008) and Azar (Nov.2009) were selected. Then, 168 low birth weight babies and 157 normal weight babies were randomly selected along with their mothers who filled the biological characteristics questionnaire with 0/85 validity. Variables in this research includes the condition of mother’s nourishment, smoking, suitable mobility and rest, high blood pressure, exposure to X-ray, and bleeding during pregnancy. Since the variables were classical, (nominal scale), the data were analyzed by qui statistical method and Phi coefficient in meaningful level (p≤0.01) with SPSS Software. The prevalence of low birth weight in Guilan was found to be 6/96 percent. Also, according to the obtained frequencies, there was a significant difference between the mothers of the two groups in terms of nourishment conditions (P=0.000), being exposed to radiation (p=0.002), vaginal bleeding (p=0.001), being exposed to smoke (p= 0.01), and ideal mobility and rest (p=0.000), during pregnancy. But there was no significant difference between them in terms of hypertension record (p= 0.89). As the results indicated, the prevalence of low birth weight in Guilan province was low and close to prevalence in Europe. Moreover, the recognition of some risky factors pertaining to the prevalence of low birth weight in Guilan province can help take preventive measures to reduce its rate.