Low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health concern, as it is associated with an increased risk of infant mortality and morbidity, as well as long-term health consequences. According to Swansea University researchers, multiple births, a short interval between pregnancies, and mothers with a maternal physical or mental health condition are more likely to have a low birth rate baby.
Every year, 20 million children are born with birth weights less than 2,500 grams and are classified as low birthweight (LBW) babies. Researchers from the National Centre for Population Health and Wellbeing Research conducted the study to better understand the risk factors for LBW so that resources and interventions could be planned effectively. The cohort study included 693,377 children born in Wales between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2018. The National Community Child Health database was used to select participants.
To gain a better understanding of the risk factors associated with LBW, the research team anonymously linked multiple routinely collected administrative datasets. According to the study, the mothers who were most likely to have a low birth weight baby were:
- Those expecting multiple children (twins, triplets, etc.);
- Those who have had fewer than one year between pregnancies; and
- Those with maternal physical and mental health issues, such as diabetes, anaemia, depression, severe mental illness, anxiety, and antidepressant medication use during pregnancy.
The most important risk factors include maternal factors such as smoking, maternal weight, substance misuse record, maternal age along with deprivation, pregnancy interval, and birth order of the child.
Amrita Bandyopadhyay
Additional risk factors included:
- Smoking;
- alcohol-related hospital admission;
- substance misuse;
- and evidence of domestic abuse; and,
- maternal age (35+), along with living in a deprived area.
This study suggests that the most important factors in reducing the risk of LBW include the following:
- Address multiple births (e.g., in assisted reproduction practices)
- Addressing factors associated with pre-term births (previous history of pre-term birth)
- Addressing maternal health, such as reducing smoking, investing in maternal mental health, addressing substance use (alcohol/drugs),
- Treating underlying health conditions (diabetes/anaemia),
- And promoting pregnancy planning to give an adequate pregnancy interval and healthy weight of the mother, especially for those in deprived urban areas.
“The most important risk factors include maternal factors such as smoking, maternal weight, substance misuse record, maternal age along with deprivation, pregnancy interval, and birth order of the child,” said lead researcher Amrita Bandyopadhyay.
“Resources to reduce the prevalence of LBW should focus on improving maternal health, reducing pre-term births, raising awareness of the importance of a sufficient pregnancy interval, and providing adequate support for mothers’ mental health and well-being.”
According to Professor Kieran Walshe, Director of Health and Care Research Wales, which funded the study: “This 20-year study sheds light on the various risk factors that can lead to low birth weight. It exemplifies how researchers can use routinely collected data to help improve care for both mothers and babies without putting additional strain on frontline healthcare providers. The findings provide concrete recommendations for where to focus efforts to reduce the prevalence of low birth weight in newborns.”
