Abstract

ORTIZ SILVA, Orlando et al. Influencia del bajo peso al nacer en el estado de salud durante el primer año. Rev Cubana Pediatr [online]. 1997, vol.69, n.3, pp.187-191. ISSN 0034-7531.

A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted on the influence of low birth weight on the health status at 1 year of age in Jaruco municipality from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1995. Two groups of infants were studied: group 1 consisted of 55 infants with a body weight lower than 2 500 g during the period studied, and group 2 which consisted of infants selected from the rest of newborn infants with a body weight greater than 2 500 g. The groups were similar regarding the number of subjects. It is concluded that infants with low birth weight show no differences with respect to physical development, but they show an increase in the indexes of ambulatory and hospital morbidity due to acute respiratory infections, acute diarrhea, urinary sepsis and anemia, as well as a great infant mortality. Promotion and prevention interventions are recommended to reduce low birth weight.

Keywords : INFANT, LOW BIRTH WEIGHT; HEALTH STATUS; RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS [epidemiology]; URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS [epidemiology]; ANEMIA [epidemiology]; DIARRHEA, INFANTILE [epidemiology]; HEIGHT, WEIGHT; HOSPITALIZATION; MORBIDITY; INFANT MORTALITY; CHILD DEVELOPMENT.