





























































































 Epidemiology and Society Health Review| ESHR 
Vol. 3, No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-7 ISSN 2656-6052 (online) | 2656-1107 (print) 
 

      10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987 1  
  

 
Research Article  
 
Relationship between Preeclampsia and Low Birth Weight 
(LBW) in Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional Hospital Year 
2018 
 
Dwi Wahyuni 1 and Elika Puspitasari 1,* 
1 Faculty of Health Sciences, ‘Aisyiyah University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia 

*Correspondence: elikapuspita@unisayogya.ac.id. Phone: +6287738254864  
 
Received 26 October 2020; Accepted 20 February 2021; Published 21 February 2021 

ABSTRACT  

Background: Globally, the infant and maternal mortality rate is still a severe problem 
because it was an indicator of national health – no exceptions for Indonesia. In 2017, the 
average infant mortality rate was 76 per 1,000 live births, while in Yogyakarta, it was 313 
cases. The most common causes of infant and neonatal mortality were low birth weight 
babies (LBW) and sepsis. In 2018 in Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional Hospital found 1,421 
new-borns were normal, and 298 infants were experiencing LBW. This study aims to 
determine preeclampsia's relationship with the incidence of low-birth-weight babies (LBW) 
in Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional Hospital Year 2018. 
Method: This research was conducted in Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional Hospital, using 
quantitative analysis with a case-control approach. The case population was 280 and using 
the Slovin formula. We recruited 170 controls and 170 cases. Inclusion criteria used include 
(1) Babies born with low birth weight <2,500 grams; (2) a single fetus; and (3) recorded in 
the medical record at the hospital.  
Results: There was a significant relationship between preeclampsia with low-birth-weight 
babies (LBW) in Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional Hospital 2018 with a p-value of 0.004 (p 
<0.05) and crude OR 2.114; 95% CI (1.268-3.523). 
Conclusion: Pregnant women with preeclampsia will be at greater risk of giving birth to a 
baby with LBW. 

Keywords: Low birth weight; Preeclampsia; Pregnant women; Baby with LBW 

INTRODUCTION 

Globally, the infant mortality rate (IMR) and the maternal mortality rate (MMR) are still a severe 
problem because it was one of the national health indicators – including in Indonesia. Neonatal 
mortality in 2017 was about 2.5 million deaths or about 47% of all under-five mortality rates. 
Premature birth (born before 37 weeks' gestation) was blamed as the cause of low birth weight 
babies (LBW) (1), which is a new-born whose weight at birth was less than 2500 grams. The 
global prevalence of LBW is 15.5%, which means that around 20 million LBW infants were 
born every year, and 96.5% LBW was born in developing countries (2). The definition of LBW 
could not only occur in premature babies but also in term infants who experience growth 
retardation during pregnancy (3). 

https://doi.org/10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987&domain=pdf


Wahyuni and Puspitasari (Relationship between Preeclampsia and Low Birth Weight (LBW) …) 
 

Vol. 3, No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-7 2   10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987 
 

2 

The 2012 Indonesian Demographic Health Survey (IDHS) showed neonatal mortality of 19 per 
1,000 live births. The number of deaths in 2017 has decreased compared the neonatal 
mortality in 2012, which declined to 15 per 1,000 live births. The cause of death in the perinatal 
group was caused by Intra-Uterine Fetal Death (IUFD) by 29.5% and LBW by 11.2% (3). 

According to the Special Region of Yogyakarta's health profile in 2017, the number of infant 
mortalities from 2014 to 2017 decreased from 405 to 278 in 2014-2016. Still, it increased in 
2017 as many as 313. The common causes of infant and neonatal mortality in the Special 
Region of Yogyakarta were low birth weight babies (LBW) and sepsis. The prevalence of LBW  
in 2017, Kulon Progo was 6.69%, Gunungkidul 5.67%, Yogyakarta 5.16%, Sleman 4.65%, 
and the lowest was Bantul with 3.79% (4). 

A previous study mentioned that LBW was caused by disease during pregnancy, one of which 
preeclampsia/eclampsia. Preeclampsia was a typical syndrome in pregnancy that affect the 
entire organ system due to decreased perfusion due to vasospasm and endothelial activation 
(5). General criteria for blood pressure preeclampsia ≥ 140/90 mmHg that occur after 20 
weeks' gestation and the presence of proteinuria 300 mg or more urine protein per 24 hours 
or 30 mg / dL (1+ on dipstick) in random urine samples (6). Around 12-25% results in limited 
fetal and small growth for gestational age and premature birth. Research in Palu, Indonesia, 
found a significant relationship between preeclampsia and LBW events with a p-value of 0.003 
and a strength of relationship 0.215 (7). There was a statistically significant relationship, but 
there were probably other variables that were also more influential than the preeclampsia 
factor. Mothers who have experienced preeclampsia during pregnancy had a 2.48 times 
greater risk of giving birth to low birth weight (LBW) babies than mothers who did not 
experience preeclampsia. 

A preliminary study conducted in January 2019 at Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional Hospital 
found the number of patients with LBW infants from January - December 2018 was 298 babies 
with a total of 1,421 new-born babies. This research determined preeclampsia's relationship 
with the incidence of low-birth-weight babies (LBW) Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional 
Hospital. 

METHOD 

This study was quantitative with a case-control approach that figure out in Figure 1. The 
population of the study was 298 new-born babies with LBW in Wonosari, Gunungkidul 
Regional Hospital. The study's sample size was 170 sample cases grouped by the Slovin 
formula with a confidence level of 0.05. The control group was 170 new-borns who did not 
experience LBW using a ratio of 1: 1 (8). The total sample of the study was 340 infants. 
Inclusion criteria were (1) Babies born with low birth weight <2,500 grams; (2) a single fetus; 
and (3) recorded in the medical record at the hospital. Exclusion criteria was (1) Intrauterine 
growth restriction (IUGR); (2) Twins; (3) LBW history; and (4) maternal age <20 and> 35 years. 
Data analysis uses Chi-square statistical tests.  

https://doi.org/10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987


Wahyuni and Puspitasari (Relationship between Preeclampsia and Low Birth Weight (LBW) …) 
 

Vol. 3, No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-7 3   10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987 
 

3 

 

Figure 1. Data acquisition diagram 

RESULTS 

Table 1 shows respondents' characteristics based on maternal age in the case group; 
maternal age 20-35 is 170 (100%). In the control group, maternal age of 20-35 years is 125 
people (73.5%) more than maternal age> 35 years, which is 39 people (24.1%), and maternal 
age <20 years is six people (3,5%). 

Table 1. Characteristics of Respondents in Wonosari, Gunungkidul 
Regional Hospital 2018 

Characteristics Case Control 
n % n % 

Mother’s Age     
Age <20 years 0 0 6 3.5 
Age 20-35 years 170 100 125 73.5 
Age > 35 years 0 0 39 22.9 
Total 170 100 170 100 

Parity     
Primiparous 79 46.5 58 34.1 
Multipara Multiparaous 91 53.5 112 65.9 
Total 170 100 170 100 

Age     
Preterm 94 55.3 46 27.1 
Aterm  76 44.7 124 72.9 
Total 162 100 162 100 

                  

The respondents' characteristics based on parity in the case group, primipara, were 79 people 
(46.5%) less than multipara, 91 (53.5%). In the control group, primipara was 58 people 
(34.1%) less than multipara, 112 people (65.9%). Of the 340 respondents, the most common 
gestational age distribution in the case group was preterm gestational age, with 94 people 
(55.3%) compared to term gestational age with 76 people (44.7%). In the control group, 
preterm gestational age was 46 people (27.1%), less than at term gestational age was 124 
(72.9). 

 

https://doi.org/10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987


Wahyuni and Puspitasari (Relationship between Preeclampsia and Low Birth Weight (LBW) …) 
 

Vol. 3, No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-7 4   10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987 
 

4 

Table 2. Distribution of LBW and preeclampsia status in 
Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional Hospital 2018 

Variable n (%) 
LBW status   

LBW 170 50 
Not LBW 170 50 

Preeclampsia status   
Preeclampsia 83 24.4 
No Preeclampsia 257 75.6 

  
 
Table 2 shows that the number of respondents in this study was 340 respondents (100%) with 
the criteria of 170 respondents (50%) as case samples in LBW infants and 170 respondents 
(50%) as control samples for non-LBW infants. Women with preeclampsia were 83 (24.4%) 
less than women with no preeclampsia - 257 people (75.6%) out of 340 respondents. 
 

Table 3. Distribution of Preeclampsia Frequency in Wonosari, Gunungkidul 
Regional Hospital 2018 

Variable LBW No LBW Crude OR 
(95% CI)  

P-value 
n % n % 

Preeclampsia 53 31.2 30 17.6   
No Preeclampsia 117 68.8 140 82.4 2.114  

(1.268-3.523) 
0.004 

 
Table 3 shows that the respondents with LBW mostly came from a woman with no 
preeclampsia that was 117 (68.8%). The same case occurred in infants with no LBW, which 
is higher than LBW infant 140 (82.4).  
 
Chi-square test obtained a p-value of 0.004 (p <0.05). The results show a relationship between 
preeclampsia and LBW in Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional Hospital. Odds Ratio analysis 
results, OR = 2.114, show that women who have preeclampsia are 2.114 times more at risk 
of giving birth with LBW than women who do not have preeclampsia. 

DISCUSSION 

Previous studies found that mothers age at risk to give birth to babies with LBW as many as 
29 (32.6%) was (<20 and >35 years). Simultaneously, a woman at 20-35 years has a low risk 
of as many as 60 (67.4%).  A study result obtained no difference in the proportion of LBW 
events between age at risk and not at risk (9). The results of this study were consistent with 
the theory that the risk of age for babies born with LBW is in mothers aged <20 years due to 
lack of perfection both physically and mentally and at age >35 years because at this age, the 
functions of the reproductive organs are experiencing setback so that the risk of giving birth to 
LBW is higher (10)(11). 

The results of this study showed that not only mothers with multipara parity gave birth to babies 
with LBW but also mothers with primiparous parity had the opportunity to deliver babies with 
LBW. In this study, primiparous and multiparous mothers almost had the same opportunity to 
deliver babies with LBW. Primiparous mothers or having a first-time pregnancy do not have 
pregnancy experience. The abnormalities and complications experienced are quite significant 

https://doi.org/10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987


Wahyuni and Puspitasari (Relationship between Preeclampsia and Low Birth Weight (LBW) …) 
 

Vol. 3, No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-7 5   10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987 
 

5 

such as dystocia of labor, low nutritional status, and lack of information about pregnancy that 
will affect the baby's weight (12). 

The results of previous studies indicate that gestational age <37 weeks at 143.5 times the risk 
of having a low birth baby (9). This is in line with a previous study that found a significant 
relationship between gestational age, multiple pregnancies, hypertension, and severe anemia 
during pregnancy with LBW events (13)(14). This is due to partial or complete detachment of 
the placenta from normal implantation, a history of disease during pregnancy, and uterine 
abnormalities due to genetic factors (15). Other causative factors include preeclampsia, acute 
infection, strenuous physical activity, multiple births, stress, anxiety, and other psychological 
factors (10)(16). This is consistent with the theory that babies born at less than 37 weeks' 
gestational age are at risk for LBW birth due to growth imbalances due to impaired placental 
circulation and chronic nutritional deficiencies. The birth of a baby with LBW at term gestational 
age can be caused by other factors such as parity 2 or 4, the lack of understanding of mothers 
regarding pregnancy care, and the mother's nutritional status. Age 37 weeks’ gestation is an 
excellent gestational age for the fetus (10)(17). 

Based on the bivariate analysis conducted to test preeclampsia's relationship with LBW using 
the Chi-square test, the p-value was 0.04. The results show an association between 
preeclampsia and LBW events because the p-value is smaller than α (0.04 <0.005). This result 
is in line with previous research with a p-value of 0.001. There is a significant relationship 
between severe preeclampsia with the incidence of low-birth-weight babies at Dr.Oen Hospital 
Surakarta (18). Preeclampsia and eclampsia are a group of diseases directly caused by 
pregnancy, the cause of which is unclear. In addition to infection and bleeding, preeclampsia 
and eclampsia are fundamental causes of maternal and perinatal death in obstetrics (19). This 
study's results are in line with research conducted by Hartati in 2018 in Wangaya District 
Hospital with a p-value of 0.00, indicating there is a relationship between preeclampsia 
mothers with low birth weight, with an OR value of 4.752 (20). Meaning that women with 
preeclampsia risk their babies will experience babies with LBW. And also supported by 
previous studies that showed that preeclampsia could increase the risk of IUGR and low birth 
weight due to decreased uteroplacental blood flow, and this will cause the outcome of low birth 
babies (21). 

Mothers with preeclampsia were at risk of giving birth to a baby with LBW. In preeclampsia, 
abnormalities of the placenta and vasospasm, and endothelial injury will occur. Preeclampsia 
will fail in the invasion of trophoblasts in both waves of the spiral arteries. There would be a 
failure of spiral artery remodeling, which results could decrease uteroplacental blood flow. 
Reduced blood flow to the uteroplacental could cause hypoxia and placental ischemia, 
resulting in stunted fetal growth (22) – supported previous research that states mothers with 
preeclampsia were four times at risk of giving birth to babies with LBW (20). Based on the 
study, 117 mothers did not have preeclampsia as many as 117 mothers who gave birth to 
LBW babies. Another cause of LBW from maternal factors was the birth spacing that was too 
short (less than one year), low socioeconomic conditions (23). 

Two previous studies mentioned that the risk factors for giving birth to a baby with LBW had 
an association with anemia and placental abnormalities to the incidence of premature LBW 
and desaturation while risk factors for parity, pregnancy spacing, maternal medical illness 
(hypertension, preeclampsia, diabetes, and infection), obstetric history and maternal 

https://doi.org/10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987


Wahyuni and Puspitasari (Relationship between Preeclampsia and Low Birth Weight (LBW) …) 
 

Vol. 3, No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-7 6   10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987 
 

6 

nutritional status that were stated to be no statistically significant relationship between 
premature LBW and desaturation (24,25). 

CONCLUSION 

Based on the research results, we conclude that the incidence of preeclampsia frequency in 
Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regional Hospital in 2018 was 83 people (24.4%), while those who 
did not preeclampsia were 257 people (75.6%). There is a relationship between preeclampsia 
and the incidence of LBW with a p-value of 0.04 <0.05. 

Authors’ Contribution 

EP contributed to research design and developed the first draft of the manuscript. DW 
contributed to the data collection and statistical analysis. 

Funding 

The researcher was grateful to LPPM Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta for supporting 
materially and morally so that this research can be carried out well. 

Conflict of interest 

There is no conflict of interest. 

REFERENCES  

1.  WHO. WHO Recommendation on Midwife-led Continuity of Care During Pregnancy. 
2016.  

2.  WHO. Newsborns: Reducing Mortality. 2018.  
3.  Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. Profil Kesehatan Indonesia. Profil 

Kesehatan Provinsi Bali. Jakarta; 2016. 1–220 p.  
4.  Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi DIY. Profil Kesehatan Provinsi DIY. 2017.  
5.  Hasriyani. Hadisaputro, S. Budhi, K. Setiawati, M. and Setyawan H. Berbagai Faktor 

Risiko Kejadian Bayi Berat Lahir Rendah (BBLR) Studi di Beberapa Puskesmas Kota 
Makassar. Universitas Diponegoro Semarang; 2018.  

6.  Cunningham F. Obstetri Williams. Edisi 23. Jakarta: EGC; 2010.  
7.  Mallisa B, Towidjojo VD. Hubungan Antara Preeklampsia Dengan Kejadian Bayi Berat 

Badan Lahir Rendah di RSUD Undata Palu. J Ilm Kedokt. 2014;1(3):1–7.  
8.  Saryono. Metodologi Penelitian Kuantitatif dan Kualitatif. Bandung: Alfabeta; 2010.  
9.  Sujianti. Hubungan Usia Ibu Dengan Kejadian Bayi Berat Lahir Rendah (BBLR) di RSUD 

Cilacap. J Kesehat Al-Irsyad. 2018;XI(1).  
10.  Manuaba IBG. Ilmu Kebidanan, Penyakit Kandungan dan Keluarga Berencana Untuk 

Pendidikan Bidan. Jakarta: EGC; 2012.  
11.  Owa K, Eka Putra IWGA, Trisna Windiani IG. Risk factors for low birth weight infants in 

East Nusa Tenggara. Public Heal Prev Med Arch. 2017;5(1):49.  
12.  Edriana., D.S. Indrawati, D.N. and Rahmawati A. Hubungan Umur dan Paritas Ibu dengan 

Berat Badan Lahir d RB Citra Insani Semarang. J UNIMUS. 2013;2(1).  
13.  Purwanto AD and WCU. Hubungan Antara Umur Keamilan,Kelamilan Ganda, Hipertensi 

Dan Anemia Dengan Kejadian BBLR. J Berk Epidemiol. 2016;4(3).  
14.  Ali AA, Rayis DA, Abdallah TM, Elbashir MI, Adam I. Severe anemia is associated with a 

higher risk for preeclampsia and poor perinatal outcomes in Kassala hospital, eastern 
Sudan. BMC Res Notes. 2011;4(1):311. Available from: 
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/4/311. 

https://doi.org/10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987


Wahyuni and Puspitasari (Relationship between Preeclampsia and Low Birth Weight (LBW) …) 
 

Vol. 3, No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-7 7   10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987 
 

7 

15.  Rahmi. Arsyad. and Rismayanti. Faktor-Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kejadian Bayi 
Berat Badan Lahir Rendah Di RSIA Pertiwi Makassar. J Epidemiol FKM Univ Hasanudin.  

16.  Takiuti NH, Kahhale S, Zugaib M. Stress in pregnancy: A new Wistar rat model for human 
preeclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;186(3):544–50.  

17.  Insoft RM, Todres DI. Gestational Age. Science Direct. 2009 [cited 2021 Feb 18]. 
Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/gestational-
age. 

18.  Utami U. Hubungan Antara Preeklampsia Berat dengan Kejadian Bayi Berat Lahir 
Rendah (BBLR) Di RS DR. OEN Surakarta. Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta; 2017.  

19.  Sofian A. Sinopsis Obstetri Fisiologi. Yogyakarta: EGC; 2013.  
20.  Hartati NN, Surinati IDAK, Pradnyaningrum NNDV. Preeklampsia dengan Berat Badan 

Lahir Rendah (BBLR) pada Ibu Bersalin. Gema Keperawatan. 2018;11(1):1–9.  
21.  Backes, C.H. Kara, M. Pamela, M. Leandro, C. Craaig, A.N. Peter J. Maternal 

Preeclampsia and Neonatal Outcomes. J Pregnancy. 2011;1.  
22.  Prawirohardjo S. Ilmu Kebidanan. Edisi ke-4. Jakarta: PT Bina Pustaka; 2010.  
23.  Proverawati A and I. BBLR (Berat Badan Lahir Rendah). Yogyakarta: Nuha Medika; 2010.  
24.  Benedict O IKN. Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight Neonates: A 

Multi-Centre, Cross-Sectional Study in a Developing Country. J Neonatal Biol. 
2015;04(03).  

25.  Singh G, Chouhan R, Sidhu K. Maternal factors for low birth weight babies. Med J Armed 
Forces India. 2009;65(1):10–2. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0377-
1237(09)80045-2. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

https://doi.org/10.26555/eshr.v3i1.2987

