Fetal malnutrition and associated factors among newborn babies delivered at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia

To assess the prevalence of fetal malnutrition and associated factors among newborn babies delivered at the Debre Markos Compressive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among newborn babies delivered at Debre Markos Compressive Specialized Hospital, from August, 10 to November 30, 2021. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive, nutrition and behavioral factors were collected using interviewer based questionnaire. Nutritional status of the newborn babies were assessed using the Metcof’s CAN score within 24 h after birth. Multiple logistic regression using Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit was conducted to determine the predictors of fetal malnutrition among the study variables. A total of 414 newborn babies (178 males and 236 females) participated in the study. The prevalence of fetal malnutrition was 12.32 % (95 % CI: 10.68–15.79, p-value = 0.01). Within 95 % CI, ANC follow up (AOR: 3.47, 1.96–8.43, p-value = 0.02), IFA provision (AOR:4.61, 1.23–10.63, p-value = 0.01), dietary counseling (AOR: 6.01, 1.56–13.11, p-value = 0.03), maternal MUAC42 weeks (AOR: 2.34,2.03–7.73, p-value = 0.03), birth weight greater than 2.5 kg (AOR: 3.32, (1.52–7.44, p-value = 0.01) and placental weight less than 519 g (AOR: 2.22,1.89–5.16, p-value = 0.01) were significantly associated with fetal malnutrition. In this study, one eighth of the newborn babies had fetal malnutrition. Maternal ANC visit, dietary counseling and placental weight were noted to be as predisposing factors for fetal malnutrition. Improving maternal ANC visit and dietary counseling during pregnancy is essential to prevent fetal malnutrition.