OBJECTRIVETo compare the differences in risk factors for low birth weight (LBW) between Han and Uygur full-term infants and to provide a basis for the prevention of LBW in newborn infants.

METHODSEighty-seven full-term LBW infants (38 Hans and 49 Uygurs) between March 2013 and June 2014 were selected as the case group, and 186 full-term normal birth weight infants (92 Hans and 94 Uygurs) were selected as the control group. A questionnaire survey was performed to investigate the related factors for LBW. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the risk factors for LBW.

RESULTSThe birth weights in Uyghur LBW infants were lower than in Han ones (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that drinking (OR=2.472, P=0.015) and smoking (OR=2.323, P=0.007) by the father, pregnancy complications (OR=14.377, P<0.001), and times of pregnancy (OR=2.995, P=0.001) were the risk factors for LBW in Han infants, while drinking by the father (OR=1.968, P=0.007), times of pregnancy (OR=1.953, P=0.005), pregnancy complications (OR=10.283, P=0.002), and poor indoor environment (OR=1.367, P=0.027) were the risk factors for LBW in Uyghur infants.

CONCLUSIONSThere are differences in physical growth between Han and Uygur LBW infants. Han and Uygur infants share the same traditional risk factors for LBW, such as father's harmful behaviors like drinking, times of pregnancy, and pregnancy complications, however, the indoor environment also plays a role in the occurrence of LBW in Uygur infants.