Factors associated with low birth weight in the population of Dar es Slaaam, Tanzania.

Factors associated with low birthweight in Dar es Salaam have been evaluated. The incidence of low birthweight is higher among female infants and infants belonging to parents of a low socioeconomic status. Primiparity, short stature of the mother, a multiple pregnancy, "toxaemia" of pregnancy are some of the factors influencing the growth velocity of the foetus leading to an increased indidence of small-for-dates infants. Low maternal age and antepartum haemorrhage mainly affect the duration of gestation and lead to a preponderance of preterm appropriate-for-gestational-age infants. However, in 66% of the mothers with low birthweight infants no associated maternal complication of the pregnancy could be detected.