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Background and purpose: Since Low birth weight (LBW) is significantly related to infant mortality and it is one of the most important health indices at birth, this study was conducted to determine the most important factors affecting the low birth weight and their direct and indirect effects on response variable. Materials and methods: To accomplish this analytical cross-sectional study, a checklist containing mother and infant’s demographic and pregnancy information was employed. Those with the weight of less than 2500g were considered as LBW infants. The information related to the next infant born with normal weight was also recorded. Overall, 466 pieces of information related to mothers and infants were recorded. Then, probable causal paths were theoretically drawn and path coefficients were calculated by LISREL 8.8. Results: Path analysis revealed that the most effective factor on LBW was preterm delivery. The chance of LBW would incredibly increase with the occurrence of preterm delivery. The second important factor was pregnancy age and its negative path coefficient showed that the chance of LBW decreased with increase in the pregnancy age. Conclusion: LBW chance can be controlled by accurate controlling of pregnancy and prevention of unnecessary pregnancy termination.

Keywords: SËM, Low birth weight, Preterm delivery

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