J Med Assoc Thai 2011; 94 (3):66

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Prevalence of Low Birthweight Infants in HIV-Infected Women Delivered in Rajavithi Hospital
Asavapiriyanont S Mail, Kasiwat S

Objective: To determine the prevalence of low birthweight infants in HIV-infected pregnant women delivered in Rajavithi
Hospital and the relationship between antiretroviral drugs and low birthweight infants.

Material and Method:
All numbers of low birthweight (LBW) infants and pregnant women with or without HIV infection
delivered in Rajavithi Hospital during 2004-2008 from medical records were used. Two hundred HIV-infected pregnant
women who delivered their infants at the same period were random for description and analysis.

Results:
The prevalence of low birthweight infants delivered by HIV and non HIV-infected pregnant women were 12.6% (53/
420) and 13.3% (4,249/31,975), respectively. There was no significant association between HIV infection and low birthweight
(p = 0.688). Low birthweight infants delivered from HIV-infected pregnant women with and without antiretroviral therapy
were 9.9% (7/41) and 13.6% (19/159), respectively. Various types of antiretroviral (ARV) drug including no ARV were
significantly associated with LBW (p = 0.021). The one who received highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) had 2.27
times higher risk in having LBW.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of low birthweight infants among HIV-infected pregnant women was 12.6%. There was no
association between HIV infection and LBW. HAART might be a risk of LBW.

Keywords: Low birthweight, HIV-infected pregnant women, Antiretroviral therapy, HAART, Rajavithi Hospital

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