Maternal Factors Associated with Newborn Birth Weight: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Anemia, Gestational Weight Gain, and Nutritional Status

Background & Objective: Low Birth Weight (LBW) remains a significant public health concern in Indonesia and is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality. Maternal factors including pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI), Gestational Weight Gain (GWG), and anemia during pregnancy are critical determinants of pregnancy outcomes, particularly birth weight. This study aimed to examine the maternal factors associated with newborn birth weight.Materials & Methods: Eligible participants were women with singleton pregnancies who delivered at the same hospital and had Antenatal Care (ANC) visits recorded there, with at least one ANC visit per trimester. Both normal and caesarean deliveries were included. This retrospective cohort study utilized hospital medical records, obstetrician-gynecologist documentation, and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) records. Data collection was conducted from August 2022 to December 2023. A total of 182 mother-infant pairs had complete information on maternal factors and pregnancy outcomes.Results: Birth weight was significantly associated with GWG (P<0.001, cOR=7.461, 95%CI=3.096-17.983), third-trimester anemia (P<0.001, cOR=10.504, 95%CI=3.805-28.994), and gestational age at delivery (P=0.028, cOR=3.476, 95%CI=1.082-11.166). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that GWG (P<0.001, aOR=8.117, 95%CI=3.103-21.235) and third-trimester anemia (P<0.001, aOR=11.351, 95%CI=3.864-33.344) remained significant predictors of newborn birth weight.Conclusion: Third-trimester anemia and inadequate or excessive GWG were significant predictors of newborn birth weight. Mothers with anemia or GWG outside recommended ranges were more likely to experience suboptimal birth outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of early pregnancy interventions, including education on recommended GWG and strengthening the quality and adherence to Antenatal Care (ANC) visits to optimize maternal health and fetal growth.