Lbw Problem Summary

According to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, “In the United States, nearly thirteen percent of babies are born preterm, and many of these babies also have a low birth weight.” The baby may be put into the NICU for varies reasons. However, the most common reason that a child is put into the NICU is because he or she is

The U.S. infant mortality rate is 5.7 per 1000 births and 1.5 in Canada although has declined over the past several decades (O'Neill & O'Neill, 2007). Low-birth weight babies have a better chance at survival in the U.S. than in Canada due to advances in medical technology and expenditures on intensive care units (O'Neill & O'Neill, 2007). The reason there are more infant mortality rates in the U.S. is because there are more infants born weighing very little than compared to Canada.

It is generally thought low socio economic status is a key factor in low birth weight babies. Nevertheless, between 2006 and 2008, Scotland had stable falling of low birth weight infants just resulted from a decreased proportion of low birth weight infants in the least deprived areas (TSG, 2013). The study showed that low birth weight

Low birth weight (LBW), defined as an infant weighing less than 2500g at birth, and very low birth weight (VLBW), infants <1500g, are health outcomes that themselves are indicators of future health outcomes, as well as present and future morbidity and mortality risk (“Birth Outcomes,” 2017). A large component of these associated outcomes are neurobehavioral, manifesting as impaired cognitive and language development measured in childhood, as well as lower IQ, poorer academic achievement, and reduced executive function measured later on (Aarnoudse-Moens et al., 2009; Barre et al., 2011; Hack et al., 2002; Linsell et al., 2015; Litt et al., 2012). Although decreasing in prevalence, neurosensory impairments, such as cerebral palsy, blindness,

The rate of pregnancies ending in low birth weight (less than 2.5 kilograms) is roughly twice as high in African-American populations in comparison to Caucasian populations; rates of extremely low birth weight (less than 1.5 kilograms) are almost three times as high, and the rates of infant mortality are twice as high.15 There

and need to be hospitalized. One reason for this is that a baby may become

Low birth weight infants are babies that have a birth weight that is less than 2500g. They are term small for gestational age or preterm babies. This problem is mostly common among people that are living in poverty and also those that are not fully educated about the causes of low birth weight and preterm. Breastfeeding at this stage is one of the important factors that should be considered because breast milk is the most nutritious source that contain all the nutrients that can help a baby in terms of low birth weight and preterm. In all instances, breast milk should be the first choice to help improve the lives of preterm and low birth weight. Race, ethnic and economic disparities also cause a problem when it comes to mothers breastfeeding

2.) How is low birth weight defined? Gestational age? Identify five risk factors associated with LBW and preterm birth.

LBW can arise from two conditions: preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) or intrauterine growth restriction. Fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality are strongly related to LBW. During development, children who were born with a LBW may experience stunted growth, cognitive problems, and chronic diseases in later life. A multitude of determinants influence gestational age and growth of the fetus, which in turn cause LBW. These include socio-economic, behavioral, and physiological determinants such as nutrition, poverty, and gestational weight gain. (p. 588).

Low birthweight babies are born as “high risk” due to complications after birth. Depending on the gestational age of the fetus, additional health issues accompanies the birth. Although there are various causes of low birth weight, mortality is a heart wrenching common factor. Later in life, these preemies are most likely to suffer from chronic illnesses (Rogers, 2016, p. 175).

The lack of prenatal care is related with infant mortality, and inadequate prenatal care is associated with low birth-weight (Gortmaker, 1979).

The prevalence of premature and low birth weight infant in the USA have shown the high rates of adverse health outcomes concerning to enormous emotional and financial burdens on families, society, and the health care system. Parents of those infants have experienced with many stressful situations, such as high levels of stress, feelings of powerlessness, and lack of sufficient knowledge about parent interaction with their infants during admission in the hospital or after hospitalization, leading to depression, anxiety disorders and other dysfunctional parenting patterns. Consequently, the preventive interventions have been more necessary to solve these health problems. Many studies revealed that the intervention programs initiating at the early

The World health organization (WHO) defined low birth weight (LBW) as weight at birth of less than 2,500 grams. This practical cut-off for international comparison is based on epidemiological observations that infants weighing less than 2,500 grams are approximately 20 times more likely to die than heavier babies [1]. The prevalence of LBW in any population reflects its socio-economic development and it is a good proxy to gauge the developmental status of the country [2]. Low birth weight is associated with many socioeconomic factors such as residence (urban-rural difference), mother’s age and occupation, birth order, the family’s income and many maternal conditions such as nutritional status, mother’s educational and health status [3].

Birth weight remains one of the most important measures of a child’s well-being. Fetal growth is determined by four main factors: the mother, placenta, fetus, and environment (Box 16-1). Any disturbance to these systems can result in fetal growth restriction, defined by the World Health Organization and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a birth weight less than the third and tenth percentile, respectively.1,93 Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a type of fetal growth restriction, represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality for the fetal and neonatal population.

Nevertheless, the capacity to sustain premature or sick infants is an important medical advancement, the goal is to eliminate