Korean J Prev Med.  2004 Feb;37(1):11-16.

A Survey on Prenatal Environmental Risk Factors for Mothers of Low Birth Weight Infants in Asan-City

• Lee H
• Yoon SJ
• Ahn H
• Ha M
• Koh KS
• June KJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
In this study, we aimed to produce basic data on the prenatal environmental risk factors of low birth weight infants at a community level. METHODS: In 2000, we conducted the direct interview using questionnaire about prenatal environmental risk factors with low birth weight infant-delivered mothers and normal weight infant-delivered mothers in Asan-city, Chungcheongnamdo Province, Korea. The questions given to the mothers included past pregnancy history, menstrual status, disease history before and during the pregnancy, family history, environmental risk factors and exposure history. The responses of the two groups were compared to calculate the prenatal environmental risk factors of each group. RESULTS: Mothers' smoking was significantly associated with low birth weight infants (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-8.56) and preterm baby (AOR 4.20; 95% CI, 1.21-14.61). Other environmental risk factors were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Smoking of mothers can be a risk factor for the delivery of low birth weight infants. These results could provide the basic data on prenatal environmental risk factors of mothers of low birth weight infants and suggest research topics for further community-based evaluation.

Keyword

Low birth weight; Risk factors; Smoking; Environmental exposure; Maternal exposure; Community survey

MeSH Terms

Chungcheongnam-do*
Environmental Exposure
Female
Humans
Infant*
Infant, Low Birth Weight*
Infant, Newborn
Korea
Maternal Exposure
Mothers*
Odds Ratio
Pregnancy
Reproductive History
Risk Factors*
Smoke
Smoking
Surveys and Questionnaires
Smoke