OBJECTIVES

: To determine the prevalence of Low Birth Weight (LBW) in newborns treated at the Rafael Calvo Maternity Clinic (CMRC) during 2016 and their possible maternal and neonatal factors associated.

METHODS

: Cross-sectional retrospective observational study with a population of 7,217 pregnant women who had a live birth in the CMRC. The prevalence of total and term (≥37 gestation weeks "GW") LBW were estimated from the weight of the newborn. Risk factors associated with LBW were estimated through a logistic regression model. Modeled variables were weight, maternal age, prenatal control, mother´s education level, area of residence and multiplicity of pregnancy. Statistical significance was defined in 5% and 10%.

RESULTS

: The prevalence of total and term LBW in the CMRC were 11.6% (838 cases out of 7,217) and 4.2% (259 out of 6,203) respectively. The risk of LBW is 16.6% (p=0.061) and 37.0% (p=0.044) lower in mothers between 20 and 34 years and 35 years or more respectively, than in mothers under 20. A child born at term represents a lower risk (β = 0.03, p=0.000) of LBW than a pre-term (<37GW). Mothers with controlled pregnancy (4 or more prenatal visits) have a lower risk (β =18.6%, p=0.042) to have a baby with LBW than mothers who are not controlled. Expecting two or more children in the same pregnancy increases the risk (β=3.3, p=0.000) of LBW compared to expecting a single child. Living in urban areas decreases the risk of LBW by 21% (p = 0.057) compared to living in rural areas.

CONCLUSIONS

: We found significant low birth weight in newborns in the CMRC. The prevalence of total LBW (11.6%) was above figures for Colombia (9.0%) and Cartagena (8.9%) in 2015. Controlling the risk factors associated to LBW could be favorable for its reduction.