Assessment of Risk Factors for Low Birth Weight Deliveries

Recognition of a higher than average incidence of low birth weight (LBW) deliveries in areas of Eastern Pennsylvania led to an analysis of more than 5,500 deliveries in one of the region's hospital systems to investigate the predictors of LBW in that population. Results of multivariate analysis indicate key variables that contribute to LBW: in particular, racial/ethnic background and specific medial problems during pregnancy, including preeclampsia, incompetent cervix, bleeding, low BMI and lack of adequate weight gain. Results were incorporated into training in best practices for prenatal care in the city's prenatal clinics.