LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND GENITAL INFECTIONS - AN INCIDENT CASE-REFERENT STUDY

In an attempt to elucidate the potential association between genital i nfections and low birth weight (LBW) births, 51 women with LBW neonate s were identified and compared to 51 women with normal. birthweight (N EW) neonates. Both groups were matched according to age and parity. Al l women were subjected to interviews regarding socioeconomic backgroun d and obstetric history. They were examined clinically and tested rega rding serum haemoglobin, malaria parasitaemia, syphilis and HIV serolo gy. Cultures were taken from the vagina, endocervix, amniotic fluid an d from various sites of newborn, including the conjunctivae and the st omach and from the interior of the placenta. Whilst socioeconomic back ground factors did not differ among cases and referents, previous neon atal death did. Significant differences were also found in mid-upper-a rm circumference (OR 3.08) and body mass index (OR 6.00). The prevalen ce of alleged risk factors according to the antenatal card was similar among cases and referents. Birthweight <2,000 g was significantly mor e often associated with chorioamnionitis than birthweight between 2,00 0 and 2,499 g (OR 5.46). Bacteriological findings did not show signifi cant differences in cases and referents. Haemoglobin values and preval ence of malaria parasitaemia were similar as was the neonatal mortalit y. It is concluded that LBW births is difficult to predict by use of a lleged risk factors in existing antenatal cards.