Determinants and adverse perinatal outcomes of low birth weight newborns delivered in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia: a cohort study.

A total of 420 mothers were included in the study with a response rate of 97%. The mean birth weights of the neonate were 3360 (± 870 SD) grams and the incidence of low birth weight was found to be 16.6% (95% CI 13.46-18.38). Previous abortion [RR = 1.87 (2.53, 12.5)], hypertensive disorder [RR = 4.59 (4.93, 42.7)], having < 4 antenatal visits [RR = 3.45 (2.35, 13.8)] and prematurity [RR = 18.2 (6.24, 34.5)] was increased the risk of low birth weight. Low birth weight neonates were associated with a low Apgar score [RR = 18.2 (6.24, 34.5)] and early neonatal death [RR = 18.2 (6.24, 34.5)]. For this, identifying populations at the greatest risk of previous abortion, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and prematurity were the major priorities aimed at reducing low birth weight. Incorporate mental health in the prenatal visit, improving the care for a high-risk pregnant woman was also recommended.