Fecal Myeloperoxidase Levels in Pregnant Women and Risk Factors to Low Birth Weight in A Makassar Slum Settlement: A Sub-Study of The Indonesian Birth Cohort Study

Purpose: Intestinal inflammation can affect the absorption of micronutrients from the bowel, which can lead to maternal malnutrition and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to measure fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels as a biomarker of inflammation in pregnant women and explore risk factors for low birth weight in the slum area of the Tallo District, Makassar City. Method: This study used a retrospective cohort study design with a purposive sample of 172 pregnant women. Stool specimens were collected and tested using a human myeloperoxidase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were collected through interviews using the Kobo Toolbox. Result: The median fecal myeloperoxidase level in pregnant women was 24.2 ng/ml. The correlation with low birth weight was insignificant (r = -0.0037, p = 0.96). Based on bivariate analysis, the risk factors significantly associated with low birth weight were first parity (RR = 2.8 (95% CI: 1.3-6.4), and preterm birth (RR = 3.9 (95% CI: 1.9-8.3), while the multivariate analysis showed that the most significant risk variable for low birth weight was preterm birth (ARR = 4.9 (95% CI: 2.6-9.1). Conclusion: This study found that gestational age at birth was significantly associated with low birth weight in infants. There was no significant association with fecal myeloperoxidase level in the pregnant mother.