Low birthweight in Thailand: 1982
Chaturachinda, K.; Hiranraks, A.; Auamkul, N.; Kanchanasinith, K.; Amornvichet, P.; O-Prasertsawat, P.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 76(Suppl 1): 36-39
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 8113653 Document Number: 337057
Low birth weight and maternal characteristics information was collected among the regions in Thailand in 1982. A 10% sample survey was conducted among 72 provincial hospitals and four regional maternal and child health centers: 28,952 birth records. The mean birthweight was computed as a simple average in grams excluding nonreported weights or missing values. Low birth weight (LBW) was weight under 2500 g. The mean birth weights were as follows: 2933 g in the north, 2980 g in the northeast, 3039 g in the east, 3042 g in the center, 3050 g in the west, and 3044 g in the south; LBW as a percentage of births was respectively 12.8%, 10.4%, 9.6%, 9.3%, 8.7%, and 8.2%. The northern region had the highest incidence of LBW. The highest LBWs were among women aged under 20 years or with no prior children. The exception was the eastern region which had the highest LBWs among mothers aged over 35 years. In the northeast, north, and east, mothers who were unskilled workers had the highest percentage of LBW infants. In the west, south, and among farmers in the north, housewives had the highest percentage of LBW infants. Civil servants had the lowest LBW infants, except in the north. The low birth weights in the north and northeastern regions was attributed to a lower maternal age. The mean birth weight of these two regions was under 3000 g. Further research was suggested in order to determine the influence of socioeconomic factors or nutrition on LBW infants.