Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Modifiable risk factors for low birth weight and their effect on cerebral palsy and mental retardation

Sarah A Collier1, Carol J R Hogue

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Women's and Children's Center, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. sacolli@sph.emory.edu

Maternal and Child Health Journal
|June 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Preventing unwanted pregnancies and smoking during pregnancy can significantly reduce low birth weight (LBW) and its associated conditions like cerebral palsy and mental retardation.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Public Health Epidemiology

Background:

  • Low birth weight (LBW) is a critical determinant of adverse infant outcomes, including cerebral palsy (CP) and mental retardation (MR).
  • Identifying and quantifying the impact of modifiable risk factors is essential for effective public health interventions.
  • Understanding the population-level impact of risk factors allows for targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the effect of modifiable risk factors on low birth weight (LBW).
  • To assess the impact of LBW on its sequelae: cerebral palsy (CP) and mental retardation (MR).
  • To quantify the potential reduction in LBW, CP, and MR through prevention of key risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the population attributable risk percent (PARP) as the primary measure of effect.
  • Conducted a literature search to determine the proportion of CP and MR attributable to LBW.
  • Analyzed data from the 1996-1997 Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) to estimate LBW attributable to modifiable risk factors, specifically focusing on smoking and unwanted conception.

Main Results:

  • Unwanted pregnancy was a significant risk factor for LBW, accounting for 4% of all LBW births.
  • Preventing all unwanted pregnancies could prevent 13% of CP cases and 14% of MR cases in Georgia annually.
  • Smoking during wanted or mistimed pregnancies contributed to 6% of LBW births; preventing this could avert an additional 2.5% of CP and 0.8% of MR cases.

Conclusions:

  • The PARP approach effectively estimates the benefits of evidence-based prevention services.
  • Preventing unwanted pregnancies and maternal smoking can substantially decrease the incidence of cerebral palsy and mental retardation.
  • Public health initiatives targeting these modifiable risk factors hold significant potential for reducing the burden of neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy10:02

A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy

Published on: November 3, 2016

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Biological Influences on Intelligence01:30

Biological Influences on Intelligence

Intelligence is often thought to be linked to brain size, but the relationship is more complex than that. While brain size does correlate modestly with some abilities, like verbal skills, the connection is weaker for others, such as spatial reasoning. Other factors, like brain structure, also play crucial roles. For instance, despite Einstein's smaller-than-average brain, his parietal cortex, which is involved in spatial reasoning, was 15% wider, suggesting that neural density might matter more...
Intellectual Disability01:29

Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Parkinson Disease l: Introduction01:24

Parkinson Disease l: Introduction

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Patients may notice hand tremors at rest, stiffness during movement, or a shuffling gait. In addition to motor features, non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, constipation, and cognitive impairment, all of which...