The relative contribution of prematurity and fetal growth retardation to low birth weight in developing and developed societies

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Abstract

The relative proportions of prematurity (≤2,500 gm, <37 weeks' gestation) and intrauterine growth retardation-low birth weight (IUGR-LBW) (≤2,500 gm, ≥37 weeks' gestation) among total LBW infants were studied in 11 regions in the developed worid and 25 developing areas where known gestational ages and birth weights were reported. In developing countries a straight correlation was observed between total LBW incidence and IUGR-LBW incidence rates (r = 0.95; b = 0.98; p < 0.001); in contrast, prematurity was not significantly associated with total LBW incidence. Data from the developed populations showed results exactly opposite to those described for developing areas. Therefore, when the incidence of LBW is higher than 10%, it is almost exclusively due to the increase in IUGR-LBW infants, while prematurity remains almost unchanged (5% to 7%). When LBW incidence is less than 10% (mean = 6%), preterm infants represent the major component of LBW. Environmental factors susceptible to changing socioeconomic conditions may be responsible for the observed differences.

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