A Study on the Relating Factors with the Delivery of Low-birth-weigh Infants

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the relating factors with the delivery of low-birth-weight infants in Pyungtaek city.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was obtained from 51 mothers with low-birth-weight babies and 90 mothers with full-term normal babies from April to October in 2001. Questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, dietary habits including alcohol, drugging, and smoking, past and present disease, prenatal risk factors and prenatal check-up and complications related to labor and delivery.

Results: 1. In the low-birth-weight infants group, father´s education level and mother´s height were significantly lower, and proportion of old age mothers was significantly higher than those of the normal infant group. 2. Mothers with low-birth-weight infants experienced more premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa, ecclampsia, and twin pregnancy than mothers with normal infants. Gestational period of mothers with low-birth-weight infants was significantly shorter than that of mothers with normal infants. 3. No differences were found in eating habit, alcohol and drug ingestion, smoking, exposing to dangerous materials in two groups, but both groups were highly exposed to indirect smoking, although mothers rarely smoke.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that high risk group such as less educated, or older mothers need prenatal health assessmen and support from public health services. Addition to determine the risk factors related to the delivery of low-birth-weight infants, public health nurses pay more attention and develop efficient management system for vulnerable women and infants.