Risk factors for low birth weight: a review

Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the main predictors of infant mortality. The global incidence of LBW is around 17%, although estimates vary from 19% in the developing countries (countries where it is an important public health problem) to 5–7% in the developed countries. The incidence in Spain in t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2004-09, Vol.116 (1), p.3-15
Main Authors: Valero de Bernabé, Javier, Soriano, Trinidad, Albaladejo, Romana, Juarranz, Margarita, Calle, Marı́a Elisa, Martı́nez, David, Domı́nguez-Rojas, Vicente
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy
Epidemiology
Female
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Health Behavior
Humans
Incidence
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Low birth weight
Medical sciences
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications
Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta
Prenatal Care
Reproductive health
Risk Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
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Summary:Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the main predictors of infant mortality. The global incidence of LBW is around 17%, although estimates vary from 19% in the developing countries (countries where it is an important public health problem) to 5–7% in the developed countries. The incidence in Spain in the decade 1980–1989 was about 5.7%. LBW is generally associated with situations in which uterine malnutrition is produced due to alterations in placental circulation. There are many known risk factors, the most important of which are socio-economic factors, medical risks before or during gestation and maternal lifestyles. However, although interventions exist to prevent many of these factors before and during pregnancy, the incidence of LBW has not decreased.
ISSN:0301-2115
1872-7654
DOI:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2004.03.007