Islamic festivals and low birthweight infants.

During the period between Rajab 1405 and Jamad Thani 1407 (March 1985-January 1987) a total of 5280 babies were delivered at King Khalid Hospital, Al-Kharj, Saudi-Arabia. Out of these children, 345 i.e. 6.53% weighed less than 2500g. Seventy-three, i.e. 21% of the low birthweight (LBW) babies were born during the festival months of Ramadan and Hajj. When compared with the non-festival months, the number was statistically significant p less than 0.01; and Odds Ratio of 1.42. The perinatal mortality rate for the LBW infants was 176.8 per thousand compared with 25.82 for all deliveries during the same period of time. As in a previous report adolescent primiparae made a large contribution to the total number of LBW deliveries. Therefore there is a need for more vigilance in the care of pregnant patients and, more provisions for the care of LBW infants during the festival months.