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Multicenter Study
. 2022 Apr 8;17(4):e0266796.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266796. eCollection 2022.

Foeto-maternal complications associated with low birth weight: A prospective multicenter study in northern Ghana

Benjamin Ahenkorah  1   2 , Samuel Asamoah Sakyi  1 , Gideon Helegbe  3 , Eddie-Williams Owiredu  1 , Linda Ahenkorah Fondjo  1 , Winfred Ofosu  4 , Edmund Muonir Der  3 , Benjamin Amoani  5 , Amma Aboagyewa Larbi  6 , Susanna Cheetham  7 , Priscilla Arthur-Johnson  8 , Grant Jenny Kwablah  4 , Ben Gyan  9
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Foeto-maternal complications associated with low birth weight: A prospective multicenter study in northern Ghana

Benjamin Ahenkorah et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: The study evaluated the socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric variables and foeto-maternal complications associated with low birth weight (LBW) in order to provide better treatment and management options.

Methods: The prospective study conducted from February, 2019 to June, 2020 recruited 312 primigravid pregnant women who reported for antenatal care in three tertiary referral hospitals in northern Ghana. Their socio-demographic, obstetric and adverse foeto-maternal outcome information were obtained with a well-structured questionnaire according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Participants' blood samples were collected for haematological tests. Odds ratio [OR, 95% confidence interval (CI)] for the association between socio-demographic, obstetric characteristics, foeto-maternal complications and haematological tests in relation to LBW were assessed using logistic regression model.

Results: This study reported a LBW prevalence of 13.5%. Increasing maternal systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 1st visit, before and after delivery significantly increased the odds of LBW. Preterm delivery (PTD<37 weeks) (COR = 9.92, 95% CI (4.87-2020), p<0.001), preeclampsia (PE) (COR = 5.94, 95% CI (2.96-11.94), p<0.001), blood transfusion (COR = 14.11, 95% CI (2.50-79.65), p = 0.003), caesarian delivery (COR = 3.86, 95% CI (1.96-7.58), p<0.001) and male sex neonates (COR = 2.25, 95%CI (1.14-4.47), P = 0.020) presented with increased odds of LBW. Increasing gestational age at delivery presented with 28% reduced odds of LBW (COR = 0.72, 95% CI (1.12-4.40), P = 0.023). Upon controlling for potential confounders in multivariate logistic regression, only gestational age at delivery (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI (0.47-0.96), P = 0.030) remained significantly associated with reduced odds of LBW.

Conclusion: This study found that high blood pressure at 1st visit, before and after delivery results in increased chances of delivering a baby with LBW. Furthermore, PTD<37 weeks, having PE in current pregnancy, and male sex potentiate the risk of LBW. On the other hand, increasing gestational age reduces the risk of LBW. Thus, we recommend that midwives should intensify education to pregnant women on the benefits of regular ANC visits to aid in the early detection of adverse foeto-maternal complications. We also recommend proper clinical management of pregnancies associated with an elevated blood pressure at registration. Also, maternal intrapartum blood pressure measurement could be used to predict LBW in low resourced settings.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flowchart of participant selection and analysis.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Prevalence of low birth weight.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Diagnostic performance of blood pressure measurements in predicting LBW at study inclusion, at delivery and 48 hours post-delivery.
(A) SBP at 1st visit, (B) DBP at 1st visit, (C) SBP before delivery, (D) DBP before delivery, (E) SBP after delivery, (F) DBP after delivery.
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