FACTORS AFFECTING THE WEIGHT AND HEALTH STATUS OF BABIES OF YOUNG MOTHERS

The study was aimed to shed light upon the factors affecting on the safety and health status of babies of young mothers. The study includes 60 young mothers of ages between 14 to 18 years in Mekka (El-mokarrama). The results showed that 53.33% of the studied cases having normal weights up to delivery and 40% of them were less than 16 years; a trend that make them suffering from several diseases. Results also showed that 60% of young mothers prefer the Governmental hospital for delivery and 83.33% of these cases had only one delivery that achieved normally, while 33.33% of the young mothers having two successive deliveries with a period in between of less than one year.  In spite of the importance of normal breast feeding, it was extended only for 6 months in 48.33% of the cases while 11.66% of young mothers extend breast feeding to one and halve years. A bortion case was occurred in only one case of the tested young mother representing 26.66% and some times it occurs in two cases with a level of 6.66% of the tested sample. Regarding the weight of the babies delivered for young mother they indicate less weight than the normal (2.5 Kg) representing 23.33%, and 73.33% of the babes realize good health status. On the other hand, hepatitis was found to occur with a level 50% and vomiting 21.66% and 11.66% of babies suffering from each of intestinal trends, food allergy and Bronchitis aspects. Food history proved that 66.6% of the young mothers prefer white bread followed by rice (31.67%). The normal bread (Balady) and potatoes showed a level of acceptance of 31.67% and 25% respectively. Young mothers prefer to consume sugars (71.67%) followed by chocolates (51.61) and 68.3% of them prefer to use vegetable oils, while 75% consume poultry / week. The consumption of dairy by young mothers was some what lowered (40%) than that of cheese which was 51.67%. The ratio for ready to eat foods that was found to be accepted by the investigated young mothers was 45% (Tea), 25% (Coffee), 18.3% (carbonated beverages), and 38.3% (Fruit Juices).