Causes and risk factors of a Low Birth Weight Baby

The main causes include maternal problems (severe malnutrition, limited scope, chronic diseases, poor obstetric history); alterations of the cord and placenta; pregnancy conditions (pre-eclampsia, diabetes); and foetus conditions (multiple pregnancy, dwarfism, congenital diseases, chromosomal abnormalities and malformations). Many of the causes originate with placental dysfunction, which hinders the nutrition and oxygenation of a potentially healthy foetus.

The main preventable risk factors are toxic habits, especially smoking. Every pregnancy, even in mothers of low economic status, must be well controlled and without taking drugs or products that can cause prenatal infections or malformations. The pregnant woman is urged to follow an adequate diet and receive the required nutritional supplements, vitamins and corresponding vaccines.