Epidemiology and prevention of low birth weight babies in a developing country
| Autor: | N S, Tibrewala, S N, Tibrewala, V N, Tibrewala |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 1980 |
| Předmět: |
Adolescent
Economics Physiology Maternal-Child Health Centers Population India Infections Congenital Abnormalities Education Birth Intervals Pregnancy Birth Weight Population Characteristics Maternal Health Services Nutritional Physiological Phenomena Biology Developing Countries Demography Primary Health Care Reproduction Body Weight Smoking Age Factors Infant Health Services Parity Social Class Socioeconomic Factors Health Delivery of Health Care |
| Zdroj: | Bulletin of the International Pediatric Association. Bulletin de l'Association internationale de pediatrie. Boletin de la Asociacion Internacional de Pediatria. 3(5) |
| ISSN: | 0245-9337 |
| Popis: | The factors contributing toward the high incidence of low weight births in developing countries were described and suggestions for reducing the number of low weight births were made. Low birth weight infants were defined as those babies who weighed 2500 g or less at birth. Socioeconomic, cultural, biological, maternal, obstetric, and fetal factors, identified in previous studies as contributory factors, were summarized. In regard to social, economic, and cultural factors, low birth weight is positively correlated with 1) low socioeconomic status; 2) poor maternal diet; 3) short birth intervals; 4) illegitimacy; 5) the performance of strenuous work during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy; 6) low maternal education; and 7) smoking. Biological factors positively associated with low birth weight include 1) early and late maternal age; 2) 1st births; 3) low maternal weight and short maternal stature; 4) the birth of females; 5) slow maternal growth patterns; and 6) high altitude pregnancies. Maternal factors positively associated with low birth weight include 1) the presence of maternal tuberculosis, heart disease, renal failure, and hypertension; 2) low maternal caloric and protein intake; 3) maternal anemia; 4) obstetric complications; 5) a history of previous low weight births, abortions, stillbirths, or premature births; 6) various uterine and placental factors; 7) multiple pregnancies; and 8) inadequate prenatal care. Fetal factors associated with low weight births include fetal infection and congenital abnormalities. The cause of low weight births varies in different populations and the 1st step in any preventive program is to determine the major causes of low weight births in the target population. Preventive measures include 1) improving secioeconomic and public health conditions; 2) upgrading maternal diets and maternal and prenatal health care; 3) expanding health education programs; and 4) preventing premature births. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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