Essay On Low Birth Weight

Low birth weight is a major health problem in the world.The normal healthy birth weight is 2500 to 3500. Low Birth Weight is defined as babies who are born weighing less than 2500 grams. The estimated low birth weight percentage in world is 15% and it distribute among 3.3% to 38%. According to the DHS 2006/07 low birth weight in Sri Lanka is 16.6% which fluctuated 16% to 18% over last few decades. Low birth weight is a multifaceted public health problem and it is major determinant of mortality, morbidity and disability in neonates, infancy and child hood.The low birth weight will be created problems associate with society, health sector and economy of country. When we consider about the world, its fluctuated among the country. The developing countries have high percentage of low birth weight compared with developed countries. According to the world health organization, in developing countries has been estimated to effect between 14 and 20 million infants per year, or as many as 30 million is equal to 11% of all birth in developing countries. At the national level, highest incident for low birth weight respectively are Bangladesh (50%, 39%), India(28%, 21%), Pakistan (25%, 18%) and in Sri Lanka(19%, 13%). The prevalence of low birth weight is higher in Asia than elsewhere, predominantly because of under nutrition of mother before pregnancy exacerbated under nutrition during pregnancy. The amount of 60% women in south Asia and 40% in South East Asia are under weight. Low weight at birth has a profoundly adverse effect on the health and development of neonate. LBW is probably the main reason why over 50% of children in South Asia are under weight. The adverse consequences of LBW continue to be manifested during childhood, and are pas...

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...g pregnancy. When we consider about the nutrition condition, the BMI is major indicator which is she is underweight or overweight or normal. If she is underweight her nutrient requeiment is high, therefore she must be take proper plan diet and supplement before pregnancy and during pregnancy.

The effect of low birth weight to the baby should be minimized. There are numbers of positive steps can be followed to improve baby’s healthy start. The breastfeeding of first six months is very importance healthy growth of baby and weight gain. And also frequently checks of growth and development of baby is importance to maintain baby diet and supplement. When baby gets older you should consider about the baby weight gain because rapid weight gain could be lead to problems associated with weight and health in adulthood. The nutritious diet can help steady growth of baby