Low birth weight in Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight (LBW), a major contributing factor to neonatal mortality was studied in four major hospitals in four different Igbo-speaking states of Eastern Nigeria - University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu (UNTH), St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha (CBH), Federal Medical Centre Unuahia (FMC) and Mater Misericordiae Hospital Afikpo (MMH) with the aim of determining the LBW rate in this area. Methods: Birth records in the aforementioned hospitals were analysed retrospectively for the years 1991-1995 for consecutive deliveries during the period involved. All babies weighing less than 2,500 grams at birth were regarded as low birth weight, and the incidence among the general deliveries determined for each hospital. Results: The incidence of LBW ranged from 6.66% to 15.26% in the different hospitals. The incidence of LBW was lower at two General Hospitals while higher incidence was observed in training institutions. The average LBW rates were 6.6% at CBH; 8.28% for FMC; 15.26% for MMH and 12.6% for UNTH. Significant differences existed between centers. Conclusion: LBW rates in the Eastern Nigeria compare favourably with reports from other parts of the world. However, the LBW rate is on the increase when compared with figures obtained from the same area a decade and two decades ago.

Keywords

• low birth weight