LOW BIRTH WEIGHTS

Low Birth Weights

Abstract

Low-birth weight (LBW) is defined as the rate of babies born weighing less than 2500 grams per 100 live births. This research seeks to empirically examine the influence of examined factors on LBW, both directly and indirectly, through selected measures of smoking, low income, poor nutrition and lack of education. It also seeks to examine the effect of selected measures on the observed relationship between the measures and LBW.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Background4

Teenage Pregnancy5

Single Mothers6

Factors7

Smoking7

Socioeconomic Status9

Education10

Poor Nutrition11

Conclusion13

References15

Low Birth Weights

Introduction

Babies born weighing less than five pounds and eight ounces (2,500 grams) are considered underweight. Babies born underweight are at increased risk for serious health problems during their first weeks of life, in addition to suffering permanent disability and even death.

About one in 12 babies born underweight in the U.S. Advances in neonatal care have greatly reduced the mortality rate associated with low birth weight. However, a small percentage of babies who survive experience mental retardation, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy and loss of sight and hearing.

Background

Low-birth weight (LBW) is defined as the rate of babies born weighing less than 2500 grams per 100 live births. This research seeks to empirically examine the influence of factors on LBW, both directly and indirectly, through selected measures of smoking, low income, poor nutrition and lack of education. It also seeks to examine the effect of selected measures on the observed relationship between the measures and LBW.

The rationale for choosing low birth weights as a health concern for the research is the reported increase in the LBW, especially among single mothers and teenager. In Michigan Region, the rates of low-birth weight babies have continued to increase. In 1991, there were 22 low-birth weight babies per 100 live births. In 2007, this increased to 38 low-birth weight babies per 100 live births. Of these LBW babies in 2007, 2/1000 resulted in death. In 2007, 8% of LBW babies were followed up by a pediatrician within Michigan Region. 22% of LBW babies were followed by a pediatrician outside of the Region, and 34% of LBW babies received no follow-up care.

The main non-genetic factors that affect birth weight are gestation length, smoking, prenatal health care, maternal nutrition (including alcohol and coffee consumption) and maternal stress (Paneth et. al, 1984). Socioeconomic disadvantage can result in limited access to medical care, restricted nutrition during pregnancy, stress, and result in behaviors and maladaptive coping strategies that exert direct biological effects on birth weight (Gould and IxRoy, 1988). Maternal education, for example, affects birth weight by raising the probability and/or productivity of health investment. Maternal education improves the financial resources available to the child directly and indirectly through choice of partner, timing of fertility, and number of offspring (Chevalier and O' Sullivan, 2007).

Teenage Pregnancy

The analysis of birth outcomes as they relate to maternal age, especially in light of research on the topic that has found both high and low risk of LBW among teenage mothers compared to their older counterparts, respectively (Chen et ...