infants born weighing or less, the mortality rate rapidly increases with decreasing weight, and most of the infants weighing or less die. As compared with normal-birth-weight infants, those with low weight at birth are almost 40 times more likely to die in the neonatal period; for infants with very low weight at birth the relative risk of neonatal death is almost 200 times greater." Infant mortality due to low birth weight is usually a direct cause stemming from other medical complications such as preterm birth, poor maternal nutritional status, lack of prenatal care, maternal sickness during pregnancy, and an unhygienic home environments. Along with birth weight, period of gestation makes up the two most important predictors of an infant's chances of survival and their overall health. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, "in the past two decades, the infant mortality rate (deaths under one year of age per thousand live births) in the United States has declined sharply." Low birth weights from African American pregnant parent's remain twice as high as that of white people. LBW may be the leading cause of infant deaths, and it is greatly preventable. Although it is preventable, the solutions may not be the easiest but effective programs to help prevent LBW are a combination of health care, education, environment, mental modification and public policy, influencing a culture supporting lifestyle. Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths worldwide. Even though America excels past many other countries in the care and saving of premature infants, the percentage of American pregnant parent's who deliver prematurely is comparable to those in developing countries. Reasons for this include teenage pregnancy, increase in pregnant parent's over the age of thirty-five, increase in the use of in-vitro fertilization which increases the risk of multiple births, obesity and diabetes. Also, pregnant parent's who do not have access to health care are less likely to visit a doctor, therefore increasing their risk of delivering prematurely. Malnutrition Malnutrition or undernutrition is defined as inadequate intake of nourishment, such as proteins and vitamins, which adversely affects the growth, energy and development of people all over the world. It is especially prevalent in pregnant parent's and infants under 5 who live in developing countries within the poorer regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Children are most vulnerable as they have yet to fully develop a strong immune system, as well as