ABSTRACT
Low birth weight is associated with high mortality, morbidity and rates of admission among neonates. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of admission and outcome of low birth weight infants [LBW] admitted in Beheshti Hospital. In this cross sectional descriptive study, all the LBW infants admitted in Beheshti Hospital during a one year period [2005] were investigated. All data were collected from the medical records and analyzed by descriptive statistics. Of the 408 admitted neonates, one hundred and thirty six newborns were low of birth weight. Of whom 54.1% were male, 8 1.9% preterm and 18.1% intrauterine growth restricted [IUGR]. The mean gestational age in LBW infants, was 33.6 +/- 3.2 weeks and mean birth weight was 1845 +/- 392 and 2042 +/- 320 gr in preterm and IUGR infants respectively. The most common morbidities in LBW infants were sepsis, jaundice, hyaline membrane disease, anemia, hypocalcemia and hypoglycemia. The mean hospital stay was 14 +/- 9 days. The mortality rate in LBWs was 23.3% mainly in gestational age of less than 28 weeks and birth weight of <1000 gr. Considering the causes of admission in LBW infants and also prematurity as the main cause of low birth weight and mortality, we recommend prevention of preterm deliveries and improving the intensive care facilities