Birth weight: As defined by the World Health Organization, low birth weight refers to weight at birth below 2500 g. It is considered as one of the most important global health concerns [1] and one of the main indicators of prenatal care and maternal health status during pregnancy [2]. Birth weight is one of the most crucial indicators of prenatal care and determining determins maternal health status during pregnancy. Moreover birth weight has a significant impact on the incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality, long-term health, and weight in adulthood[3]. Low bBirth weight can be influenced by various factors such as mother’s maternal nutrition, socio-economic and demographic status, fetal and maternal diseases, genetic factors, poor prenatal …show more content…
In general, low birth weight is considered a serious challenge in maternal and neonatal health in developed and developing countries. According to statistics, mortality rates in infants weighing less than 2500 g and 1500 g is 40 and 200 times higher than those born with a weight of more than 2500 g, respectively [5]. The prevalence of low birth weight is higher in Asian countries compared to other parts of the world, which is mainly due to maternal malnutrition before and during pregnancy. Micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy have serious consequences on the development of the fetus [2].
Health literacy: Health literacy represents a set of social and cognitive skills such as including reading, listening, analyzing, and decision-making, as well as the ability to apply these skills in different health situations; this phenomenon is not necessarily related to the individual’s educational level or basic reading skills [6]. Health literacy represents cognitive and social skills, which promote one’s motivation and capacity for understanding and using health information with the purpose of health maintenance and promotion. With the improvement of people's access to health
Length of gestation (i.e., number of weeks in utero) and weight at birth are both related to birth risk. Demonstrate your awareness of key related concepts by discussing the concepts of prematurity, low birth weight, and extremely low birth weight.
Two-thirds of infants die during the first month of life due to low birth weight (Lia-Hoagberg et al, 1990). One reason for this outcome is primarily due to difficulties in accessing prenatal care. Prenatal health care encompasses the health of women in both pre and post childbearing years and provides the support for a healthy lifestyle for the mother and fetus and/or infant. This form of care plays an important role in the prevention of poor birth outcomes, such as prematurity, low birth weight and infant mortality, where education, risk assessment, treatment of complications, and monitoring of fetus development are vital (McKenzie, Pinger,& Kotecki, 2012). Although every woman is recommended to receive prenatal health care, low-income and disadvantaged minority women do not seek care due to structural and individual barriers.
This helps the mother control weight gain as she tends to gain less weight in the first trimester. though, they had some differences in their vitamin intake as one mother took medication for prevention of malaria due to her surroundings, they both took the recommended vitamins and nutrition for healthy child development, such as vitamin B complex (folic acid), multivitamins, fruits, vegetables, and an increase intake of water to help with dehydration and constipation. They both exercised during their pregnancy, though their intensity was different. For instance, the first mother didn’t engage in any form of exercise until her second trimester due to her history of miscarriages. The sex exercise was the most shocking part for me as I believe it could potentially harm the baby if care is not taken, but she claimed it helps to prepare the birth canal for childbirth resulting in a less painful and strenuous delivery (Santrock,
Egbert, N., & Nanna, K. (2009, September 13) Health Literacy: Challenges and Strategies. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 14(3). Retrieved November 12, 2013 from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol142009/No3Sept09/Health-Litera...
Herein I briefly overview the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) within the United States. Initially, I discuss specific causes of infant death and then, contributing factors which put babies at risk. Next, the distribution of various IMR is surveyed on a state to state basis. States possessing the ten highest infant mortality rates are discussed, including possible reasons for higher IMR. In addition, those states with the ten lowest IMR are mentioned. In conclusion, I consider preventative measures for minimizing the number of babies that die each year.
In America, 1 out of 8 children are born premature. The earlier a child is born from their suggested due date, the poor severe the condition the child can receive. With health conditions of the mother, that may be a main reason why a child may become premature. Women with uterine, cervical abnormalities, or having twins, triplets, etc. may cause a risk of preterm labor. A women’s health is a main factor of how their child may come out. Smoking, drinking, use of illegal drugs may cause women to have preterm labor as well. To...
Siega, R., Adair, L., & Hoebl, C. (1996). Maternal underweight status and inadequate rate of
There are many causes affect to the LBW, one of that is deficiency of micronutrients of pregnant women. Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are essential elements for normal body function and growth. During pregnancy, nutrient requirement is increased when developing the fetal, placenta and also important to maternal growth. The impact of micronutrients deficiency on pregnancy is associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality, abortion, low b...
Hickey, C. A., McNeal, S. F., Menefee, L., & Ivey, S. (1997 October). Prenatal Weight Gain Within Upper and Lower Recommended Ranges: Effect on Birth weight of Black and White Infants. Obstetrician and Gynecology, 90(4).
Strong literacy skills are closely linked to the probability of having a good job that pays good. Usually, literacy is referred to as the ability to read, understand, and use information. But the term has come to take on broader meaning, standing for a range of knowledge, skills and abilities relating to reading, mathematics, science and more. This reflects widespread and deep changes that have taken place in technology and in the organization of work over the past quarter century. Having strong literacy skills are more important than some might think.
The purpose of the WIC, as stated before is to improve the health of nutritionally at risk women infants and children through adequate nutritional help. According the the USDA Wic has improved birth outcomes with longer pregnancies, higher birth weights, lower infant mortalities, and more mothers receiving prenatal care. Also the improvement of savi...
A healthy diet is very important because the deficiency of some nutrients can cause various adverse effects for both, mother and the fetus. It is know that the mother and the baby compete for the same nutrients and calories, and for this reason it is necessary that mothers have a balanced diet of nutrients for you and your baby. Most nutritional and metabolic needs can be met by eating a balanced daily diet containing approximately 35 kcal for each kilogram of optimal body weight plus an additional 300 kcal/day during the second and third trimesters. An inadequate diet can cause impaired growth of the fetus and it may be born too small and even underweight. Thus to be nourished properly makes the pregnant woman has a healthy life and to develop less risk of suffering premature deliveries, giving birth to more babies healthy. In addition some changes that occur during the pregnancy such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, hemorrhoids, heartburn and swelling can also be minimized with a proper diet.
Health literacy is a term not widely understood by the general population. It is defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions and services needed to prevent or treat illness,” (About health literacy, 2014). A person’s level of health literacy is based on their age, education level, socioeconomic standing, and cultural background. Patients with low health literacy have a more difficult time navigating the health care system. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this group of patients may find it harder to find medical services and health care providers, fill out health forms, provide their complete medical history with their providers, seek preventative care, understand the health risks associated with some behaviors, taking care of chronic health conditions, and understanding how to take prescribed medications (About health literacy, 2014). It is to a certain extent the patient’s responsibility to increase their own health literacy knowledge. But to what extent can they learn on their own? Those working in the health field have been trained to navigate the health system and understand the medical terms. They have the knowledge and capability to pass on that understanding to their patients. Health care professionals have a shared responsibility to help improve patients’ health literacy.
Health is a vital component in our everyday life. If it is compromised, everything else goes down with it. Health affects an individual drastically; therefore, it is imperative that we take good care of our bodies in order to maintain normal body functions that can help us go through our normal day-to-day lives without fail. There are many factors that can affect health--one of them is Education. Health education feeds emotions that will motivate us to do a better job at being caretakers of ourselves. It can therefore, be said that health education can encourage people to act on their own personal health.
There has been a great deal of attention given by individuals, the media and by the government to Health Education. There is no doubt that a population which is “health literate” is significant for the sake of the “public health as a whole and consequently for public finances”(Tappe 2013) (Younghee 2013). Many countries, including the U.S., have realized just how vital these issues have become. Sadly however, the ability to understand basic health information, with or without health education, as well as access and process the services is only possessed by “50%”of the American public, resulting in the escalation of health care costs as well as poor decision making regarding health care.