Low Birth Weight Newborns at Public Hospitals in the Awi Zone of Northwest Ethiopia: Birth Defects and Associated Variables.

INTRODUCTION: Birth defect is a leading contributor to infant mortality and has significant effects on life expectancy and quality of life. To parents alongside clinical specialists, assessing plus managing infants exhibiting single or multiple anomalies remains remarkably arduous. This study is aimed at assessing the frequency of congenital malformation and associated factors among low birth weight neonates born in public hospitals of Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia in 2023. METHODS: We conducted an institutional based cross-sectional study among 311 mothers of low birth weight newborns. The study was carried out at three primary hospitals (Chagni, Dangla, and Gimjja Bete) and Injibara general hospital from December 2022 to July 2023. Participants included mothers whose LBW newborns were delivered at these facilities, as well as those who delivered at home but presented to the same healthcare settings for care within 24 h of delivery. RESULTS: A birth defect was observed in 53 (17%) of the newborns. Independent predictors of birth defects in LBW infants included MUAC < 22 cm (AOR: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.52, 8.83), maternal age 36-49 years (AOR: 3.60; 95% CI: 1.26, 10.56), and nonadherence to foliate supplementation before and during early gestation (AOR: 4.46; 95% CI: 1.61, 12.40). In contrast, history of obstetric complications, although yielding an AOR of 1.90, was not significantly associated (95% CI: 0.87-4.15). CONCLUSIONS: In the Awi Zone, 17% of LBW newborns presented with birth defects, with the musculoskeletal system being the most frequently affected site. Significant independent risk factors included failure to take folate supplements before and during early pregnancy, MUAC < 22 cm, and maternal age 36-49 years. Although a history of obstetric complications showed a positive association, it was not statistically significant in the adjusted model.