The Effects Of Low Birth Weight On Infants - 1518 Words

The term low birth weight is used in describing infants weighing less than 5 lbs 8 ounces (2500g) whereas the average weight is 8 lbs (Stanford, 2015). An infant with a low birth weight has a significantly higher chance of neonatal and perinatal mortality (Maheswari Behera, 2014). Babies who do persevere and survive are documented of having inadequate neurosensory, cognitive, behavioral development and limited school performance (Guyatt Snow, 2004). Shiono and Behrman (1995) state that infants with low birth weight consist of 7% of live births, however, 35% of the cost of health care goes towards caring for low birth weight infants. Studies show that African American infants are twice more than Caucasian infants to have a low birth weight. To bring a life into this world takes more than conception; sacrifices need to be made, nurturing, and providing a safe home for the child, but many minorities struggle to fulfill these needs. Health and health care are imperative when it comes t o being an expecting mother; therefore, it is important that to address what influences the birth weight of African American infants in my research paper. I hope to address how factors such as racial discrimination within the American health care system, prenatal care, stress, and the age of the mother contributes to the low birth weight (LBW) disparities between African American infants and Caucasian infants. Being born into poverty is out of an individuals’ control. David and Collins (1997)Show MoreRelatedThe Use Of Tobacco Products During Pregnancy1326 Words   |  6 Pagestobacco products during pregnancy has influenced the outcomes of infants’ birth in multiple ways. Maternal smoking during pregnancy impairs fetal growth and decreases gestational age thus, increasing several risk factors in the neonatal population. These risk factors are low birth weight (LBW), and premature birth. There is a strong correlation between both risk factors as it relates to neonatal long-term morbidity and also mortality. Infants who are born preterm accounts for a large percentage of earlyRead MoreDelayed Childbearing Outcomes And Prevention1141 Words   |  5 Pagesmore than one infant being carried in a womb can also be life threatening for the mother bearing the infant and for the infant itself. Needless to say, one, two, three or even four infants in a womb simultaneously depicts a h igh risk in the outcome of a birth, but the infants and the mother are more prone to circumstantial risks when the mother bearing the child is over the age of 35. Woman aged 35 or older are at 20% to 40% more prone to having an increased risk of low birth weight and preterm deliveryRead MoreThe Low Country Healthy Start Program1503 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The Low Country Healthy start program is designed to eliminate disparities in perinatal health, improve birth outcomes, and quality of life in African american women and infants living in Allendale, Bamberg, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties. The Low County healthy start program propositions four purposes (1) Eliminate disparities in perinatal health by focusing on individual health behaviors and assisting women of child bearing age improve their health and the health of their familiesRead More Tobacco Essay1186 Words   |  5 Pagesis a potent chemical that has powerful effects on the human body, especially when administered rapidly or at high doses. 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The study revealed appropriate conclusions with statistically significantRead MorePoverty vs. Low Birth Weights1042 Words   |  5 PagesAbstract There exist some evidence that poverty can result in low birth weight in newborn infants. On Prince Edward Island, low birth weights are currently the lowest as compared to the national average according to Statistics Canada. However, the link that exist between poverty and low birth weights leaves unanswered questions as to what can be done to reduce these low birth weights in newborn infants. The effect of Poverty on Low Birth Weight in Newborns Receiving good prenatal care is extremelyRead MorePremature Infants And Music Therapy1539 Words   |  7 Pagestopic of premature infants and music therapy, the author of this paper discusses about the effect of music on specific common issue that the NICU can cause to premature infants. The effect of music therapy on stabilizing premature infants’ breathing and heart rate is addressed. The author also points out that music can be a stimulus for premature infants to learning life-matter skill such as the sucking behavior. The Effect of Music Therapy For Premature Infants in NICU In MarchRead MoreEssay On Vlbw Infants1178 Words   |  5 Pagesoutcomes in LBW infants was found, multiple cohort studies performed give insight into the epidemiology of these outcomes. A study done by Litt et al. (2012) following 181 VLBW infants (birth cohort 1992-1995) into adolescence found a prevalence of neurosensory disorders including cerebral palsy, blindness, and deafness equal to 17%, compared to 0% of the 115 NBW children followed. Similarly, Wilson-Costello et al. (2007) found a prevalence of 23% for neurosensory disorders among 749 LBW infants from a similarRead MoreEssay1325 Words   |  6 PagesEducation level is not the only factor that has a significant role in black infant mortality, but so does the environment these African American women live in. The environment someone lives in, whether it be emotional or physical plays a major role on the person’s behavior and habits. One of the main things that a research has found is that childhood lead poisoning ca n lead to many later poor health effects or complications during pregnancy. Lead is usually found in older homes in many cities. EvenRead MoreCorrelation Between Income And Infant Mortality1722 Words   |  7 Pageswell-being and early health of their infants. And if there is indeed a connection between income and infant mortality or birth weight, what other conditions must be held constant or controlled in order for these connections to be statistically significant? Schady Smitz (2009) took the direction of studying middle income country with specified regularity and extremity in economic shocks to the system and then attempting to establish a connection with said shocks to the infant mortality rates. They gathered