Causes of low birthweight in Hungary

An analysis is offered of the factors contributing to the very high incidence of low birthweight infants in Hungary, based on data of the last three decades. The incidence increased by 30% from 1950 to 1974, and since 1974 there has been a reduction by 20%. The main factors of the high incidence are harmful habits (smoking, alcohol consumption, etc.) during pregnancy, the uneven level of antenatal care, the low level of education and health culture, and the frequency of induced abortion. Further improvement can only be expected from a planned influence on the above factors.