Effect of prenatal supplements usage on birth weight in the maternity hospital affiliated to Mashhad University of medical sciences in 2010

Abstract

Introduction: Birth weight is considered as an important health indicator. since there is a meaning full relationship between LBW and neonatal death it is necessary to program some useful Interventions to diminish LBW. In this study we assess the relation between the birth weight and the supplementary usage (folic acid, iron , multivitamins), Methods: This is a case -control study which accomplished in two groups (666 persons for each group)in maternity hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of medical sciences. A questionnaire with 15 questions was filled for every mother with a LBW and premature labor(case) and also for every mother with a delivery of a term neonate with a weight more than 2500 gr ( control). The interval between two deliveries was the least. Results: According to collected data about folic acid in case group: 339 mothers (%50.9) complete use , 258 (%38.7) incomplete and 69 mothers (%10.4) with no usage: In control group respectively, 414 mothers (%62.1), 215 mothers (%32.3) and 37 mothers (%5.6), About multivitamin usage in case group respectively: 504 cases (%77) -98 (14.7%) -64(%9.6). And in control group :545 (%82) -77 (%12) and 44 (%6 . 6). About iron tablet in case group, respectively : 543 (%81.5) -95 (%14.3)- 28 (% 4.2) and in control group:574 (%86.2) - 68 (%10.2) - 24 (%3.6). P value for folic acid and multivitamin and iron are respectively (0.025)-(0.03)-(0.033) Conclusion: There is a meaningful difference between supplementary usage and LBW preterm labor. Thus it is necessary to educate mothers to use supplementary completely