Abstract

GRAU ESPINOSA, Marcos Aurelio; SAENZ DARIAS, Luís  and  CABRALES ESCOBAR, José Andrés. Risk factors for low birthweight, Provincial Obstetric-Gynecologic Hospital of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. Rev Panam Salud Publica [online]. 1999, vol.6, n.2, pp. 95-98. ISSN 1020-4989.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1020-49891999000700003.

The objective of this work was to identify some risk factors that women could present during pregnancy and that are associated with low birthweight (less than 2500 g). A study was performed during 1994 with 378 cases and 649 controls at the Provincial Obstetric-Gynecologic Hospital of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. The data were obtained from clinical histories, the registry of births, and personal interviews with mothers. A bivariate analysis was carried out and possible confounding factors were controlled utilizing dichotomous logistic regression, using the Epi Info 5 and SPSS software programs. With the final multivariate model, the following risk factors for low birthweight were identified as significant: hypertension during pregnancy, infrequent checkups during pregnancy, previous abortions, a period of less than 2 years since the last birth, and a maternal weight increase of less than 8 kg. Priority should be given to these last three variables in order to maintain the high standards of the maternal and child health program of Sancti Spíritus Province, Cuba.