Maternal socio-economic factors and the risk of low birth weight in Lithuania.

AIM To evaluate the importance of maternal socio-economic factors on the risk of low birth weight in Lithuania. MATERIAL AND METHODS The case-control study involved 851 newborns with low birth weight (<2500 g) (cases) and 851 newborns with normal weight (controls). Study was accomplished from 1st February, 2001 until 31st October, 2002 in six main maternity hospitals in Lithuania. Mothers of infants were interviewed on the first day after delivery using the structured questionnaire. The database was processed by the application of statistical package "SPSS for Windows v.10.0". RESULTS Young (<20 years) and older (35 years and older) maternal age, primary or basic education, being single, divorced or widowed, low income, living in rural area and unemployment before pregnancy and during pregnancy increased the risk to deliver low birth weight baby in univariate analysis. In logistic multivariable regression analysis, low education, low income and unemployment during pregnancy significantly increased risk of low birth weight--OR - 2.0, 1.7 and 1.6 respectively. Interaction between several unfavorable risk factors increased risk of low birth weight by 3.4-7.8 times, being the highest among mothers with low education, unstable marital status and low income. CONCLUSION Maternal unfavorable socio-economic factors increased the risk to deliver low birth weight baby.