Birth weight

Birth weight and gestational age

Classifications

Large for gestational age: Weight is above the 90th percentile at gestational age Macrosomia: Weight is above a defined limit at any gestational age Appropriate for gestational age: Normal birth weight Small for gestational age: Weight is below the 10th percentile at gestational age Low birth weight: Weight is below a defined limit at any gestational age

Baby weighed as AGA

Birth Weight: Its Significance and Impact on Future Life

Birth weight refers to the body weight of a baby at the time of its birth. A myriad of studies have been undertaken to discern possible correlations between birth weight and conditions later in life, such as diabetes, obesity, tobacco smoking, and intelligence. This article delves into the determinants of birth weight, the abnormalities associated with it, and its influence on adult life.

Determinants of Birth Weight

Birth weight can be influenced by a range of determinants, the primary ones being:

• Duration of Gestation: This pertains to the gestational age at which the child is born. The relation between weight and gestational age is crucial.
• Prenatal Growth Rate: This rate is usually gauged in relation to the expected weight for any given gestational age.

However, the probability of a birth weight diverging from the norm is affected by multiple parental factors:

Genetics

Genetic factors play a significant role in determining birth weight.

Health of the Mother

The mother's health, particularly during the pregnancy, has a substantial influence on the baby's birth weight.

Environmental Factors

One noteworthy environmental factor is the mother's exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.

Economic Status

Research from 2010 has yielded inconsistent results regarding the role of parents' economic status as a determinant of birth weight. Thus, its role remains speculative.

Multiple Births

In the case of multiple births, each baby is likely to deviate from the Average for Gestational Age (AGA). Usually, one baby diverges more significantly than the other.

Abnormalities in Birth Weight

• Low Birth Weight: This can be attributed to a preterm birth, the infant being small for gestational age, or a combination of both.
• High Birth Weight: This typically arises when the infant is large for gestational age.

Influence on Adult Life

Birth weight can potentially cast long-term effects on various facets of an individual's life. Some of the most studied areas include:

Obesity

Babies born either small or large for gestational age are believed to be at a heightened risk of obesity in later life. However, this correlation is found to be largely explicable by the mother's weight. GH therapy has been observed to result in a catch-up of lean body mass (LBM). However, the percentage of body fat has shown a decrease in GH-treated individuals. Moreover, the bone mineral density SDS, when measured by DEXA, has been seen to rise notably in the GH-treated group. Yet, the debate continues regarding the adverse effects of being small for gestational age (SGA) and whether such conditions truly necessitate inducing catch-up.

Diabetes

Low birth weight babies may have an increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes as they age.

Intelligence

There have been studies indicating a direct correlation between higher birth weight and a higher intelligence quotient (IQ). Furthermore, a greater birth weight has also been linked to an increased risk of autism.

External Links

• Link to further study on Birth Weight
• Research on Birth Weight and Adult Diseases

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