Trend and Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight in Chiang Rai Regional Hospital, 1990-June 1997 (แนวโน้มและปัจจัยเสี่ยงของน้ำหนักเด็กแรกคลอดต่ำในโรงพยาบาลเชียงรายประชานุเคราะห์ พ.ศ. 2533 - เดือนมิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2540)

The objective of this study was to determine prevalence, trends, and risk factors for low birth weight (LBW logbook recorded by nurses were retrospectively reviewed. For non-singleton deliveries, weight of first born infant only was used. There were 40,723 deliveries during the period and weight data were available in 40,515 (99.5%). Median weight was 3,000 gm. Prevalence of LBW was 9.8%. Trends of infant LBW were stable during 1990-1997. Factors which correlated with LBW were maternal age younger than 19 years and greater than 35 years, primigravida status, gestational age less than 37 weeks, female infant sex, lack of ante-natal care, HIV infection and syphilis. LBW was also associated with lack of obstetric intervention (such as cesarean section), twins, and low APGAR score.Trend monitoring of LBW is one of a good indicator to assess maternal and child health (MCH) program.