Low birthweight babies--outcome at 13 years

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M K C Nair1, D S Chacko, M K Paul

  • 1Child Development Centre, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. nairmkc@rediffmail.com

Indian Pediatrics
|March 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Low birthweight (LBW) adolescents showed lower self-esteem and intelligence compared to normal birthweight (NBW) peers. LBW girls also had significantly lower weight and BMI, indicating potential long-term growth disparities.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Low birthweight (LBW) is associated with potential long-term health and developmental challenges.
  • Understanding the impact of birthweight on adolescent development is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare growth status, blood pressure, self-esteem, and intelligence in adolescents born with low birthweight versus normal birthweight.
  • To identify specific developmental differences between LBW and NBW adolescents at 13 years of age.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study comparing 200 low birthweight (LBW) and 224 normal birthweight (NBW) adolescents at age 13.
  • Assessment of anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI), blood pressure, intelligence scores, and self-esteem levels.

Main Results:

  • LBW adolescents exhibited significantly higher rates of low intelligence scores (51.4% vs 41.7%).
  • LBW adolescents reported statistically significant lower self-esteem scores.
  • LBW adolescents, particularly girls, showed significantly lower weight and BMI.

Conclusions:

  • Adolescents born with LBW face developmental disadvantages in cognitive function and self-esteem.
  • LBW may impact physical growth trajectories, especially in adolescent girls, necessitating continued monitoring.
  • Early identification and support for LBW individuals are essential to mitigate long-term health and developmental risks.

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