The Relationship between Low Birth Weight and the Incidence of Pneumonia in Toddlers at the Mlati II Health Center

Abstract

Pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under five years old, particularly in developing countries, and is often associated with various intrinsic risk factors, including low birth weight. Toddlers with a history of low birth weight are considered more vulnerable to infections due to their immature immune and respiratory systems. This study aims to determine the relationship between low birth weight and the incidence of pneumonia in toddlers at the Mlati II Health Center. This research used a quantitative analytical design with a case-control approach. Secondary data were obtained from the medical records of 70 toddlers, consisting of 35 pneumonia cases and 35 controls, selected using total and quota sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test with a 95% confidence level and odds ratio (OR) measurement. The results showed that 68.8% of toddlers with low birth weight experienced pneumonia, compared to 44.4% in the non–low birth weight group. However, statistical analysis indicated no significant relationship between low birth weight and pneumonia incidence (p = 0.088), although the OR value of 2.750 suggests a higher risk tendency. In conclusion, low birth weight is not statistically significantly associated with pneumonia incidence, but it may still contribute to increased susceptibility, highlighting the importance of monitoring high-risk toddlers