Recognition of birth weight and its research development / 中国实用儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Birth weight is an important index for assessing intrauterine nutritional environment and outcome of birth. There are more than 1 000 000 neonates born with low birth weight in China every year. Furthermore,the rate of macrosomia is increasing. A lot of researches on birth weight have found that low birth weight or macrosomia is not only associated with newborn or infant mortality and morbidity,but also related to poorer physical growth,neurodevelopment,and increasing risk of chronic metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. In this article,we reviewed the latest studies of epidemiological characteristics and pathogenesis of low birth weight and macrosomia,as well as its effects and mechanisms on neurocognitive development,metabolic disease and cardiovascular disease. It may be beneficial to the health and development of lifetime to have a proper recognition of birth weight,prevent the risk factors associated with inappropriate birth weight and monitor and optimize growth and development after birth.