Maternal risk factors and consequences of low birth weight in Infants

Low birth weight is a multi-factorial problem with a wide spectrum of health related problems from its origin to later in life. It is one of the important causes of high infant’s mortality and morbidity rate in developing countries. The rate of low birth weight continues to increase; putting more children at risk of health related consequences, because it has an independent effect on child health. It contributes to the costs to the family, society and the world as a whole in keeping Low birth weight infants alive and developing them .Neonatal hospital costs (antenatal cortico steroids, new modes of ventilation, exogenous surfactants) are high and it remains high after hospital discharge. as children grow older costs continues to be high and complications and their nature may change. Reduction in low birth weight mortality have greatly contribute to the reduction in overall mortality .According to W.H.O. concept “Health for all” neonatal and infants mortality rates have been decreased over the past few decades. Identification of risk factors of low birth weight is important in mediating the health consequences of LBW after birth and also in reducing the prevalence of LBW. In the recent decades, much progress has been made to improve the survival of LBW infants. Improvement in NICU services have greatly reduced the risk of LBW mortality .So efforts to reduce LBW mortality rate in developing countries requires greater attention on understanding and addressing the risk factors for low birth weight and, consequences of LBW. . The purpose of this paper is to provide a background and concept of related risk factors and consequences of LBW, as it relates to survival, growth and wellbeing of infants throughout the life.