Health > Births > Low birth weight: Countries Compared
Author: chris.lockyer781
Infants with a documented weight of less than 2,500 grams immediately after birth are considered to have low birth weight. The rate of low birth weight is computed as the number of live born babies weighing less than 2,500 grams x 100 divided by the total number of live births.
Low birth weight is one of the top causes of newborn deaths in both developed and developing countries. It also increases morbidity in early life, and has been shown to have significant long term consequences until adulthood.
The two main causes of low birth weight are preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. Preterm birth is the most common cause of low birth weight in both developed and developing countries. In the United States, the rate of preterm births has risen from 10% to 12.5% in the past 25 years. A similar rise in the rate of preterm births is seen in other developed countries.
Low birth weight rates are much higher in developing countries. Asia has the highest rate at 18.3% followed by Africa at 14.3%. It is important to note that in poorer countries, many newborns are not weighed at birth, and these statistics may underestimate the actual rate of low birth weight deliveries. In these countries, low birthweight is also caused by poor maternal health and nutrition due to poverty.
Smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy are proven risk factors for low birth weight.
During infancy, low birth weight increases the risk of many complications such as jaundice, respiratory distress, anemia and infections. In young children, it is associated with poor physical and cognitive growth. In the US, children who were born with low birth weights were shown to have poorer reading comprehension and skills in mathematics. Rates of high school dropouts in these children were also higher. In adulthood, low birth weight is associated with increased incidence of chronic diseases like hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.
Citations:
1) UNICEF: Low Birth Weight. Country, regional and global estimates. http://www.childinfo.org/files/lowbirthweightfrom_EY.pdf
2) Goldenberg RL, Culhane JF. Low birth weight in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr 2007: 85; 5845-5905.
3) Michigan news: Born to lose: How birth weight affects adult health and success. http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/5882
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Citation
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Infants with a documented weight of less than 2,500 grams immediately after birth are considered to have low birth weight. The rate of low birth weight is computed as the number of live born babies weighing less than 2,500 grams x 100 divided by the total number of live births.
Low birth weight is one of the top causes of newborn deaths in both developed and developing countries. It also increases morbidity in early life, and has been shown to have significant long term consequences until adulthood.
The two main causes of low birth weight are preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. Preterm birth is the most common cause of low birth weight in both developed and developing countries. In the United States, the rate of preterm births has risen from 10% to 12.5% in the past 25 years. A similar rise in the rate of preterm births is seen in other developed countries.
Low birth weight rates are much higher in developing countries. Asia has the highest rate at 18.3% followed by Africa at 14.3%. It is important to note that in poorer countries, many newborns are not weighed at birth, and these statistics may underestimate the actual rate of low birth weight deliveries. In these countries, low birthweight is also caused by poor maternal health and nutrition due to poverty.
Smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy are proven risk factors for low birth weight.
During infancy, low birth weight increases the risk of many complications such as jaundice, respiratory distress, anemia and infections. In young children, it is associated with poor physical and cognitive growth. In the US, children who were born with low birth weights were shown to have poorer reading comprehension and skills in mathematics. Rates of high school dropouts in these children were also higher. In adulthood, low birth weight is associated with increased incidence of chronic diseases like hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.
Citations:
1) UNICEF: Low Birth Weight. Country, regional and global estimates. http://www.childinfo.org/files/lowbirthweightfrom_EY.pdf
2) Goldenberg RL, Culhane JF. Low birth weight in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr 2007: 85; 5845-5905.
3) Michigan news: Born to lose: How birth weight affects adult health and success. http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/5882
Posted on 09 Apr 2014
chris.lockyer781
396 Stat enthusiast
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href=/graph/hea_inf_mor_rat&int=-1>infant mortality</a> cases.</p>In developed nations, the most common causes of low birthweight are genetic factors, prematurity, multiple birth, high maternal age (over 35 years) and <a
href=/graph/hea_tob_tot_adu_smo>smoking</a> during pregnancy.</p>Although this statistic focuses primarily on developed nations, the majority of low birthweight babies are born in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In these regions, the main factors are poor maternal health, a high number of <a href=/graph/peo_tot_fer_rat>children per woman</a>, closely spaced children, low maternal age (under 16 years), inadequate rest and infection.
Posted on 25 Feb 2005
Edria Murray, Staff editor
