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How many low birthweight babies in low- and middle-income countries are preterm?

Fernando C Barros1, Aluísio J D Barros, José Villar

  • 1Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil. fcbarros.epi@gmail.com

Revista De Saude Publica
|April 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Approximately half of low birthweight (LBW) babies in low- and middle-income countries are born preterm. This finding, based on recent studies, highlights the urgent need for updated health policies for these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Global Health
  • Perinatology
  • Neonatal Research

Background:

  • Low birthweight (LBW) is a significant global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • The proportion of LBW infants born preterm has been historically underestimated.
  • Accurate data on LBW preterm birth prevalence is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of preterm birth among low birthweight infants in LMICs.
  • To update existing estimates based on recent scientific literature.
  • To inform policy decisions regarding neonatal and maternal healthcare.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, LILACS, Google Scholar).
  • Studies published after 1990 focusing on term and preterm LBW infants in LMICs were included.
  • Regression analyses were employed to model the proportion of preterm births within the LBW population.

Main Results:

  • Analysis of 47 studies from 27 LMICs revealed that approximately 50% of LBW infants are preterm.
  • This contrasts with previous assumptions suggesting a one-in-three ratio for preterm LBW infants before the 1990s.
  • The findings indicate a substantially higher prevalence of LBW preterm births than previously estimated.

Conclusions:

  • The updated estimate of LBW preterm births necessitates a re-evaluation of public health policies and resource allocation.
  • Specialized healthcare interventions are critical for the high-risk population of LBW preterm infants.
  • Further population-based studies are needed to refine these estimates and improve understanding of the issue.
Abstract

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