Analysis of Low Birth Weight Rates and Associated Factors in a Rural and an Urban Hospital in Thailand

From the Mother and Child Health Centre (MCHC) in Khon Kaen in the northeast of Thailand 1178 and from the Vajira Hospital in Bangkok 1372 singleton consecutive births were analyzed. Low birth weight rates (≦2500 g) were slightly but significantly higher in Khon Kaen (13.4 per cent) than in Bangkok (10.5 per cent). Low birth weight rates were common for primegravida. This relation ship was more pronounced in Khon Kaen. Mean birth weights measured 2952±416 g in Khon Kaen and 3028±444 g in Bangkok. A test of interaction including the location of the hospital, occupation and parity on birth weights was positive but failed to be significant for single factors or combinations with the exception of parity.