Birthweight distribution at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the birthweight distribution of singleton births at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and to determine if selected socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics that are known to be associated with birthweight would show the association in our setting. Design: A non-randomised cross-sectional survey of all deliveries within the study period. Setting: Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, a tertiary institution, delivering about 11,000 women a year. Study population: From 1st November to 12th December 1994, 866 singleton normally formed livebirths and fresh stillbirths were sequentially enrolled. Data sources: Data sources were the antenatal and delivery records of the subjects and an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: The mean birthweight for the total sample was 3070g ± 616g. One hundred and fifteen (13.3%) babies were low birthweight The mean birthweight for those with reliable dates and born at term was 3262g ± 488.8g. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed lack of antenatal malaria chemoprophylaxis and a history of previous low birthweight to be significantly associated with low birthweight. Conclusion: Although the mean birthweight of Korle-Bu babies was lower than those of US A and UK babies, it was comparable with those from other developing countries. Antenatal malaria chemoprophylaxis is a practical intervention that can produce an increase in mean birthweight and reduce the risk of low birthweight in our population.