Association of low birth weight with maternal tobacco, alcohol or drug use

Authors

  • Zahirys Herrera Lazo
  • Daniela Abigail Cobo Álvarez

Keywords:

maternal tobacco use, maternal alcohol use, maternal drug use, low birth weight, Chi-square of independence

Abstract

Introduction: The identification of modifiable risk factors that can prevent low birth weight can guide public health policies on substance use during pregnancy.

Objective: To associate maternal consumption of tobacco, alcohol or drugs with low birth weight in pregnant patients attended in a hospital in the province of Pastaza, Ecuador.

Methods: The study was framed at the relational level and was observational, retrospective, analytical and cross-sectional. The sample included 212 pregnant patients attended at a hospital in the province of Pastaza, Ecuador. The Chi-square test of independence was used.

Results: It was observed that alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption were significantly associated with low birth weight. In mothers who consumed alcohol, 79.4 % had low birth weight babies, compared to 13.3 % of those who did not consume alcohol. Regarding tobacco, 84.1 % of mothers who smoked had low birth weight babies, in contrast to 15.9 % of nonsmokers. Regarding drugs, 46.7 % of mothers who consumed drugs had low birth weight babies, while only 6.7 % of non-consumers had low birth weight babies.

Conclusions: The results evidenced that maternal consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs during pregnancy are important risk factors for low birth weight in this population.

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Published

2024-04-07

How to Cite

1.
Herrera Lazo Z, Cobo Álvarez DA. Association of low birth weight with maternal tobacco, alcohol or drug use. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd [Internet]. 2024 Apr. 7 [cited 2025 Jul. 13];43. Available from: https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3272