Maternal Risk Factors for Low Birth Weight: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, with the burden concentrated almost entirely in low- and middle-income countries. National data from Indonesia show that LBW prevalence remains above the Sustainable Development Goals target, with considerable variation across regions. This study identified maternal risk factors associated with LBW in the service area of the Yosomulyo Community Health Center. We conducted an observational analytical study with a retrospective case-control design involving 78 mothers who had given birth (39 LBW cases and 39 non-LBW controls). The analysis included univariate analysis, bivariate tests (Chi-Square/Fisher’s Exact and independent t-tests), and multiple logistic regression on 77 respondents with complete data after the iron tablet intake data were supplemented. Bivariate analysis showed that anemia, chronic energy deficiency (CED), hyperemesis gravidarum, and iron (Fe) tablet intake patterns were significantly associated with LBW (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that anemia (adjusted OR 47.14; 95% CI 6.72–330.62; p < 0.001), CED (adjusted OR 10.06; 95% CI 1.40–72.58; p = 0.022), and hyperemesis gravidarum (adjusted OR 6.61; 95% CI 1.03–42.63; p=0.047) were independently associated with LBW, whereas regular iron tablet intake showed a protective association (adjusted OR 0.026; 95% CI 0.001–0.604; p=0.023). The model had good fit (Hosmer-Lemeshow p=0.588) and a classification accuracy of 90.9%. Anemia, CED, and hyperemesis gravidarum are the primary maternal factors associated with LBW in the study area, whereas adherence to iron tablet intake showed a protective association. Strengthening the early detection and management of anemia and CED in pregnant women, along with improving adherence to iron tablet intake through counseling and active monitoring by healthcare workers, should be prioritized to reduce the incidence of LBW.