Fatores de risco para baixo peso ao nascer: um estudo de caso-controle. Risk factors for low birth weight: a case-control study.

Objective : To determine the risk factors associated with low birth weight in newborns in the maternity of the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceicao in the city of Tubarao. Methods : A case-control study with 244 neonates who were born in the above mentioned maternity, as well as their mothers, from July to October 2009. The cases were 61 newborns with low weight, while the controls were 183 children with adequate birth weight. The data collection of each children’s weight was obtained in the institutions birth registry. Later on each mother was interviewed so that the risk factors could be determined. Results : The standard age of the cases was lower than the one of the controls and it was statistically significant (p <0,01). Short maternal stature and low gestational gain weight were associated with low birth weight (p = 0,01). Specific hypertensive illness of gestation was related to low birth weight, in which mothers with gestational hypertension had 2,6 times more chances of giving birth to babies with low weight (CI 95% 1.52- 4.49). Most of the cases of intrauterine growth restriction occurred in the case group, although there was no significant statistics. Conclusion : During the period of the study it was seen that prematurity, short maternal stature, low gestational gain weight and specific hypertensive illness of gestation were the risk factors considered for the birth of babies with low weight in the maternity of the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceicao.