Maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight in Karachi: a case-control study

To evaluate maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) among women aged 15-35 years, we carried out a hospital-based, case-control study on 262 cases (mothers of neonates weighing 2.5 kg). Odds of delivering a low-birth-weight baby decreased with increase in maternal haemoglobin odds ratio (OR): 0.701; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62-0.79. Odds were greater among mothers not using iron supplements during pregnancy (OR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.83-4.54). Mothers of LBW babies had lower haemoglobin levels before delivery.