Prevalence of Low Birth Weight and its Association With Anemia in White Nile State, Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) remains a global health concern, especially in sub-Saharan African countries with fewer resources, such as Sudan. Despite ongoing preventive measures, LBW is still one of the main health problems and it is a leading risk factor for several adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of and factors associated (mainly maternal anemia) with LBW at Rabak Maternity Hospital, White Nile, Central Sudan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving live singleton newborns and their mothers who presented to Rabak Maternity Hospital from September to December 2021. Questionnaires were completed via face-to-face interviews to gather maternal information (maternal age, parity, history of miscarriage, educational status, and level of antenatal care [ANC]). Maternal hemoglobin levels were measured using an automated hematology analyzer. The neonate's birth weight and sex were recorded.

Results: Two hundred and fifty-three newborns were enrolled in this study, 40 (15.8%) of whom were LBW neonates. The median (interquartile range) maternal age and parity were 25 (21.0-30.0) years and 2 (1-4), respectively. While gestational age, maternal hemoglobin, and maternal anemia were associated with LBW, maternal age, parity, a history of miscarriage, education level, and level of ANC were not associated with LBW in the univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that gestational age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66-0.96) and maternal hemoglobin (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.52-0.86) were inversely associated with LBW. Maternal anemia was associated with LBW (AOR = 4.70, 95% CI = 2.06-10.94).

Conclusion: LBW is a major health concern in White Nile, Sudan. Maternal age and maternal anemia are associated with LBW. Preventive measures for managing maternal anemia may help reduce the incidence of LBW.