RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN THE PREVISORA POLYCLINIC

https://doi.org/10.56274/rcs.2024.3.2.41

Abstract

Rationale: Low birth weight is a challenge for science throughout the history of mankind and a worldwide health problem; it is the most important index to determine the newborn's chances of survival and healthy growth. Objective: To describe the behavior of risk factors associated with low birth weight in the health area of Policlínico Previsora between January 2021 and December 2023. Methods: A retrospective descriptive observational study was carried out with 57 low birth weight neonates. Among the variables studied were the weight of the newborn, gestational age at delivery, maternal age, nutritional assessment at birth and weight gain. Results: 74 % of the low birth weight newborns were the result of a pregnancy of less than 37 weeks, where most of them had a birth weight between 1500-2499 grams. As risk factors, a history during pregnancy of vaginal infection predominated in 47.36 % and urinary tract infection in 33.33 %. Conclusions: Among the main risk factors, preterm delivery, vaginal and urinary tract infection were found.