Low birth weight and preterm babies Essay

Low birth weight and preterm babies in United States is increasing. Low birth weight babies argon babies who are born(p) with the birth weight of less(prenominal) than 5 lbs. either due to preterm delivery or due to restriction of growth inside the uterus. These funky birth weight babies are at increased risk for early death and long-term wellness and developmental issues than infants born later in pregnancy or at higher birth weights. not all preterm infants are show quantify birth weight, and vice versa.Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic DisparitiesDisparities in racial and culture exist with preterm and deplorable birth weight infants. According to child health the States 2010 report, low-toned birth weight infants who were born to non-Hispanic black women were more than the infants born to other racial and ethnic group. The infants born to non- Hispanic black women was 3.0 percentage whereas the infants born to non- Hispanic white women was only 1.2 percent. The American India n was 1.3 percent and the all other races were 1.5 percent with low birth weight infants.Causes for preterm and low birth weight babies preceding delivery of low birth weight babies or preterm deliveries. Teen of age less than 20 geezerhood or advanced maternal age of great than 35 years. Any maternal health problems such(prenominal) as hypertension, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Use of substance abuse during pregnancy such as alcohol, target smoking and cocaine use. Low socio-economic status with no health check insurance, Lack of nutrition at the time of pregnancy. Physical and mental stress during pregnancy.Violence, abuse or exposures to secondhand smoke are some of the causes for preterm and low birth weight infants (Morrin, 2008, p.8).Impact on family and societyPreterm and low birth weight infants possess greater risk not only for the infants, but also for the families and the society as well. The impact of very low-birth-weight infants on the family is long lasti ng. Preterminfants born at less than 34 weeks are at high risk for sorry outcomes, including chronic health conditions, long-term disability, and death. The loss of a baby can be a desolate experience for a family. Many preterm and low birth weight infants that survive the perinatal period are vulnerable to a host of childhood morbidities such as cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Adolescents born prior to 35 weeks of completed gestation have been shown to have a higher storey of abnormal brain development and cognitive and behavioral problems than adolescents born full-term.These short(p)er birth outcomes have also been associated with sedate health conditions in adulthood, such as cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, and hypertension. The financial costs associated with treating preterm chore and delivery is quite high. The parents of low birth weight infants have higher scores for financial burden, familial/social impac t, personal strain, and mastery. And they experience more impact when children had a functional handicap or low adaptive developmental quotient (APHA polity Statement Database, August 11, 2006).In the society they cause more medical costs due to the length of stay in neonatal intensive care unit. Usually women with poor socio economic conditions, homeless are greatest risk for low birth weight infants and they have no medical insurances. This possesses greater impact on the society because their costs have to be picked up by Medicaid or the hospital system.Regarding community resources, I feel there are enough resources available in the community for preterm infants and their families, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently promoting preconception and post conception care as critical to improve the health of the nation. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to improve outcomes for the mother and her family. sassy Jersey has lots of support services for pregnant women and women with low birth weight infants, they are,Nutrition programs, provender banks, and food stampsFinancial assistance for medical care, utilities, and unemployment benefitsOrganizations for children with special developmental or medical needs creative thinkerStart and other educational programsMedical care and insurance resourcesCounseling services and more ( premature infant care, n.d).ReferencesAPHA Policy Statement Database. (August 11, 2006). Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http//www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/policysearch/default.htm?id=1326Morrin, J. (2008, September). Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Low Birth weight for Connecticut. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http//www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/family_health/health_disparities_in_lbw_final_report_10_1_08.pdfPreemie Care -RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) Awareness & Prevention. (n.d.). Retrieved from http//www.preemiecare.org/supportgroups.htmNJVery Low Birth Weight Child Health USA 2010. (n.d. ). Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http//www.mchb.hrsa.gov/chusa10/hstat/hsi/pages/203vlbw.html.