Low birth weight babies: A study from Western Part of Libya

Original article

English

M. A. Dekna, A. Aborawi, A. Shaban., S.Mletan

Tripoli Children Hospital

JMJ Vol. 2, No. 4 (September 2003): 55-57

Abstract

Low birth weight babies (LBWt) contribute significantly to perinatal mortality and childhood morbidity, as far as we know no available data as related to Libyan neonate, we reviewed retrospectively all deliveries and neonate admissions over one calendar year aiming to find out the morbidity and mortality of the low birth weight babies. The incidence of LBWt in general is 5.9% of the total deliveries out of these 78.7%, 11.5%, and 9.7% were low birth weight, very low birth weight, and extremely low birth weight respectively. The predisposing factors to have LBWt babies included: prematurity(92%), multiple births (19.8%), antepartum bleeding (2.8%), maternal infection (1.7%), diabetes mellitus (1.5%), and RH incompatibility (0.9%). One third of LBWt babies were admitted to the neonatal unit and contributed by 69% of the PNMR. Among those who died 56% had respiratory distress, 18% had hypothermia, 15.5% were jaundiced 14% had birth asphyxia and 9% showed congenital anomaly(s). we conclude that :LBWt babies must have prime attention and preventive measures are needed to decrease perinatal mortality and childhood morbidity.

Keywords: LBWt babies, Perinatal mortality, prematurity.

Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1286