Development, Validation of a Risk Score to Predict Low Birth Weight using Characteristics of the Mother

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW), a weight at birth of less than 2500 g (5.5 lb), continues to be a significant public health problem globally. It is estimated that 15% to 20% of all births worldwide are LBW, accounting for more than 20 million in a year. The rate of LBW varies considerably among regions and countries, with higher burden among low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The prevalence in LMICs (16.5%) is twice higher than in high-income countries (7%). In Ethiopia, LBW rate ranges from 8% to 54%, showing a huge variation across geographical settings and time periods. A recent systematic review showed a pooled estimate of 17.3% in Ethiopia, which implies it still remains an important public health problem in the country.