Low birth weight

Question 1

What is low birth weight?

Answer 1

born at less than 2.5kg

Question 2

What is low birth weight caused by?

Answer 2

• Premature birth (the baby has less time in the uterus to develop and hence weighs less)
• Age of the mother: higher rates for less than 15 and over 45
• Bad diet (inadequate nutrition can lead to underdevelopment of the foetus)
• Smoking, drugs and alcohol reduce foetal growth
• Illness of the mother can lead to early labour or slowed growth (chicken pox and rubella)

Question 3

what can low birth weight lead to?

Answer 3

• Underdeveloped immune system
• Premature death
• Speech and learning disabilities
• High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes as an adult.

Question 4

main health status influence?

Answer 4

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