Low body mass index, anaemia and poor perinatal outcome in a Rural Hospital in Eastern Sudan

Background: The first step in improving early neonatal survival is to document rate of these deaths, identify the common causes. Objectives: the study was conducted at New Halfa hospital, eastern Sudan to investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors for a poor perinatal outcome, mainly low birth weight (LBW), APGAR score <5 at 1 min, fetal anaemia and perinatal mortality. Results: LBW occurred in 15.3%, the perinatal death was 9.2%. Maternal low body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with LBW (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-3.2; p = 0.02), which was a risk factor for APGAR score < 5 at 1 min (OR = 11.5, 95% CI = 5.9-22.5; p < 0.001) and perinatal mortality (OR = 6.5, 95% CI = 2.9-14.8, p < 0.00001). Maternal anaemia was a risk factor for fetal anaemia (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.4-3.1; p < 0.001). Conclusion: More attention to maternal nutrition and in an attempt to prevent anaemia may lead to improvement in the perinatal outcome. © The Author [2007]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.