Discuss the potential health problems of a low-birthweight infant

Answer 1

Infant birthweight correlates with pre-pregnancy weight and weight gain during pregnancy and is the most potent single predictor of the infant's future health and survival. An underweight woman has a high risk of having a low-birthweight infant, especially if she is unable to gain sufficient weight during pregnancy. Compared with normal-weight infants, low-birthweight infants are more likely to contract diseases and nearly 40 times more likely to die in the first month of life. Impaired growth and development during pregnancy may have long-term health effects as well. Research suggests that, when nutrient supplies fail to meet demands, permanent adaptations take place that may make obesity or chronic diseases such as heart disease and hypertension more likely in later life. Other potential problems of low birthweight may include lower adult IQ and other brain impairments, short stature, and educational disadvantages. Underweight women are therefore advised to gain weight before becoming pregnant and to strive to gain adequately during pregnancy.

Nutritional deficiency, coupled with low birthweight, is the underlying cause of more than half of all the deaths worldwide of children younger than 5 years of age. In the United States, the infant mortality rate in 2010 was slightly less than 6.2 deaths per 1000 live births. This rate, though higher than that of some other developed countries, has seen a significant steady decline over the past two decades and stands as a tribute to public health efforts aimed at reducing infant deaths.