Author
Abstract
Birth weight is one of the most important factors in determining the neonatal status. Low birth weight is associated with infant’s morbidity, where mortality rate is 40 times greater than those born with normal birth weight. In this study, 86 neonates with birth weight less than 2500 gr. were sampled in 6 months. They were all term and were not low weight by nature. Maternal age, neonates sex, parity, family members, mother’s education and job, social status, blood pressure, history of low birth weight delivery, area of residence, gestational intake of iron and calcium, history of malignant gestational nausea and vomiting and vaginal infections were the variables to be studied. Interview checklists, weight scale and sphygmomanometer were used for data collection. Findings revealed a significant relationship between intrauterine growth restriction and factors such as parity, mother’s age, blood pressure and gestational nausea and vomiting. In other words, the older the mothers, the higher the birth weigh of their infants. Mothers with bp higher than 140/90 mmHg gave birth to lower - weight infants. Also, low birth weight infants were observed with mothers having experienced malignant gestational nausea and vomiting.
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