Great importance has been attributed to birth weight all over the world because it is considered as one of the best predictors of prenatal survival and a good indicator of quality life. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of low birth weight babies (LBW) and factors related to it in Baghdad city. A cross sectional study was carried out in four general hospitals in Baghdad city, Iraq. A total of 225 newborn babies, alive, singleton and without congenital malformation were selected randomly from these four general hospitals.The result of the study showed the prevalence rate of low birth weights was 21.3%. Mothers’ educational level, monthly family income, mothers with chronic hypertension, mothers with history of previous low birth weight infants and anemic mothers were significantly associated with low birth weight babies (P= 0.03, 0.01, 0.02,<0.01, 0.02) respectively. It is clearly evidenced the lack of equity in populations and disparity in socioeconomic status are common related factors for the low birth weight babies as can be seen as a public and global health problem.
Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Iraq

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*

No Abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Mortality*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*

From 1st August 2000 to 31st July 2001, there were 2526 mothers and 2556 living newborn infants. Among the newborn infants 7.2% were underweight, 6.4% were male, 8.1% were female. The age, education level, parents, occupations, nutritional state and health state of the mother in pregnancy, the care for fetus, the familial plaing… were related factors with diverse level to the state of underweight children.
Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Risk factors ; Epidemiology

Low birth weight (under 2,800g) has been shown to be related to poor infant outcome both in terms of elevated mortality and morbidity. Early indentification of low birth weigh infants by mean of using the rule to measure chest and arm circumference at the time of infant discharge from the community health service or at home may enable limited the risk of new born. This can be determine, since arms, chest circumference has a good correlation with birth weight. The cut – off point of = 9cm in arm circumference and = 29cm in chest circumference was being used as a predictor of high risk in infant with low birth weight under 2,800g
Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; mortality