Title: Prematurity and Low Birth Weight | Urban Child Institute
Headings: Prematurity and Low Birth Weight
Prematurity and Low Birth Weight
Prematurity and low birth weight can disrupt children’s development.
The prevalence of low birth weight is slightly higher in Shelby County than across Tennessee.
Medical advances and access to neonatal care are helping more at-risk babies survive.
Preterm birth and low birth weight can have serious and long-term negative consequences.
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The effects of low birth weight and prematurity are costly for families and for our community as a whole.
Intervention Strategies to Combat the Adverse Outcomes of Prematurity and Low Birth Weight
Early Intervention in Tennessee
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Preterm birth and low birth weight can have serious and long-term negative consequences. Increased rates of survival for low birth weight and very low birth weight infants are good news for our county and state. They also have important implications for public policy related to children’s health and well-being. To meet these new challenges, we need a better understanding of the long-term risks associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. Preterm birth increases a child’s risk for health and developmental problems: A meta-review of 15 research studies concluded that premature birth (less than 37 weeks gestational age) is associated with poorer health and social/emotional functioning measured at preschool age, in adolescence, and in young adulthood. 10
Extremely preterm infants (less than 29 weeks gestational age) are at increased risk for childhood impairments in brain function due to brain injury and disruptions in early brain development. 4
Extremely preterm infants have a high risk (30-50%) of moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disabilities. 11
Low birth weight has also been linked to a wide range of negative outcomes: Children born at moderately low birth weight (1500-2499g) are more likely than normal birth weight children to have special healthcare needs, including regular use of medication, above-average use of health services, and limitations on activity.