CLINICAL DETERMINANTS OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN NEONATES AT A COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL IN NAIROBI
Keywords:
Clinical determinants, Low Birth Weight, Antenatal Supplements, Antenatal care Clinic (ANC), Alcohol, SmokingAbstract
Background: One third of all Low Birth Weight neonates are delivered in Africa. In 2021, Low Birth Weight was the leading cause of infant hospital admissions in Kenya. Furthermore, in 2022, neonatal deaths made up to 66% of all infant deaths and 51% of under-five deaths in the country, with Low Birth Weight implicated as the primary contributing factor.
Objectives: This cross-sectional study sought to investigate the clinical
determinants of Low Birth Weight in neonates at a county referral hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
Methods: Data were collected between January 2024 and August 2024 using a semi-structured questionnaire and data abstraction tool. Statistical methods such as frequencies, chi square tests and logistic regression were employed to analyse the predictors of Low Birth Weight.
Results: A total of 216 mother-neonate dyads were included in the study. Most babies (65.7%, n=142) had Low Birth Weight (LBW, 1500–2499g), and nearly half (46.8%, n=101) were born at 32 weeks or more gestation. The largest group of mothers (47.2%, n=102) were aged 26–35 years. Bivariate analysis revealed that early initiation of antenatal care clinics (ANC), regular ANC attendance, and antenatal supplement use were linked to reduced odds of Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) and Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW). Conversely, alcohol use and smoking during pregnancy increased the risk. However, on logistic regression analysis the use of antenatal supplements remained significantly protective against Low Birth Weight (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.29–0.94, p = 0.030) whereas alcohol consumption: (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.02–3.83, p = 0.040) and smoking during pregnancy: (OR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.07–9.19, p = 0.037) were
significantly associated with an increased risk of Low Birth Weight.
Conclusion: Antenatal supplements significantly lowered the odds of Low Birth Weight delivery, whereas alcohol consumption or smoking during pregnancy was associated with significantly increased odds.
