Morbidity and mortality of low-birth-weight infants in Egypt

Low birth weight is one of the major determinants of neonatal survival and postneonatal morbidity. This study assessed the morbidity and mortality of low-birth-weight [LBW] infants during the first 3 months. Data were collected for 6701 live births. All singleton liveborn LBW infants as well as a comparison group of normal-birth-weight [NBW] infants were followed up for 3 months. Data were collected on weight, morbidity and mortality using a structured questionnaire. Admission to neonatal intensive care unit and mortality were more frequent in LBW [31.6%, 2.0%] than NBW infants [2.0%, 0.2%]. They also had increased risk of neonatal jaundice at 1 month, an increased risk of growth retardation and a much higher risk of mortality