Identification of modifiable factors associated with low birth weight infants

Objective: The purpose of this research was to identify modifiable factors that are related to the causes of LBW infants and help to identify additional data elements that contribute as risk factors to LBW. Nine modifiable factors were observed: maternal weight gain, hemoglobin level, maternal mental status/condition, urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, and STI's. Methods: A quantitative descriptive analysis of retrospective data was conducted on 124 prenatal charts, from low birth weight infants born at MVH in 2004. The modifiable factors related to LBW listed above were used to calculate prevalence using Excel DDXL. Chi-Square and ANOVA were used to detect statistical differences between races (p<.05). Results: 124 charts were available for review, consisting of 55 African-Americans and 69 Caucasians with a mean age of 22.4 and 23.2 respectively. Mean hemoglobin was 11.9 g/dl, which is within the normal limits in pregnancy. The following LBW data were found to have a higher prevalence than the national average: Urinary tract infections (21.5%), gonorrhea (3.8%), chlamydia (13.8%) and trichomoniasis (7.7%). The other LBW data collected were found to be within range of the national averages: Hemoglobin (11.9 g/dl), Bacterial vaginosis (17.6%), Yeast (20.7%). Significant differences (p<.05) between races were observed in the following modifiable factors: Hemoglobin, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and yeast. For gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and yeast, African- Americans had a higher prevalence than Caucasians. Conclusions: Recommendation from this data set is to screen and retest prenatal patients for these infections with an emphasis on monitoring gonorrhea and trichomoniasis in the African-American community.