Low Birth Weight Newborns at Public Hospitals in the Awi Zone of Northwest Ethiopia: Birth Defects and…

Cross-sectionalInternational journal of pediatrics· 2026

Low Birth Weight Newborns at Public Hospitals in the Awi Zone of Northwest Ethiopia: Birth Defects and Associated Variables.

Tsegaye Mehare, Molla Getie, Getaneh Tegegne, Yewbmirt Sharew

Maternal-Fetal MedicineCross-sectionalPrognosisQ2IF 1.9

17% of low birth weight newborns had a birth defect

Low Birth Weight Newborns at Public Hospitals in the Awi Zone of Northwest Ethiopia: Birth Defects and Associated Variables.

Tsegaye Mehare … Yewbmirt Sharew

International journal of pediatrics · 2026

Background

Birth defect is a leading contributor to infant mortality and has significant effects on life expectancy and quality of life.

Methods

Included mothers whose LBW newborns were delivered at these facilities, as well as those who delivered at home but presented to the same healthcare settings for care within 24 h of delivery.

Results

musculoskeletal defects were the most common birth defect found

AOR by subgroup · 95% CI

More results

Independent predictors of birth defects in LBW infants included MUAC < 22 cm (AOR: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.52, 8.83), maternal age 36-49 years (AOR: 3.60; 95% CI: 1.26, 10.56), and nonadherence to foliate supplementation before and during early gestation (AOR: 4.46; 95% CI: 1.61, 12.40).

More results

In contrast, history of obstetric complications, although yielding an AOR of 1.90, was not significantly associated (95% CI: 0.87-4.15).

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

In the Awi Zone, 17% of LBW newborns presented with birth defects, with the musculoskeletal system being the most frequently affected site.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Significant independent risk factors included failure to take folate supplements before and during early pregnancy, MUAC < 22 cm, and maternal age 36-49 years.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Although a history of obstetric complications showed a positive association, it was not statistically significant in the adjusted model.

Low Birth Weight Newborns at Public Hospitals in the Awi Zone of Northwest Ethiopia: Birth Defects and Associated Variables.

Low Birth Weight Newborns at Public Hospitals in the Awi Zone of Northwest Ethiopia: Birth Defects and Associated Variables.

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