Investigating the Prevalence of Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Shar-Ara Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan during 2023

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is a key determinant of neonatal survival and long-term development, and a critical indicator of maternal and child health. It is closely associated with increased risk of infant mortality and morbidity. We aimed to assess the prevalence of LBW among live births at Shar-Ara Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan, during 2023.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Shar-Ara Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan, through retrospective review of records of infants born between January and December 2023. Of 1,406 live births, only complete and accessible records were included. Infants with normal weight (>2,500 g), macrosomia (>4,000 g), and stillbirths were excluded. Data were collected using a validated checklist from maternal and neonatal files. LBW classifications were: LBW (<2,500 g), VLBW (1,000–1,499 g), ELBW (<1,000 g), and preterm (<37 weeks).

Results: The overall prevalence of LBW was 8.3%. Among 117 analyzed cases, 102 (87.2%) were LBW, 5 (4.3%) were VLBW, and 10 (8.5%) were ELBW. The highest proportion of LBW was found among infants born to mothers aged 18–35 years (88.8%) and those born before 37 weeks of gestation (5.1%). Female infants accounted for 58.9% of LBW cases. Most pregnancies were singletons (87.1%), and 39.3% of LBW infants were born to first-time mothers. Vaginal delivery was the most common mode of birth (90.6%).

Conclusion: LBW was the predominant category among low-weight classifications. It was more frequent in female infants, among first-time mothers, and in preterm births to mothers aged 18–35 years.