Definition
The weight of a child at birth, which is considered along with gestational age of child at birth.
Description
Birth weight has been conclusively shown to be linked to the gestational age of a child. With every gestational week of progress there is a concomitant increase in birth weight that is expected in a developing fetus. A child who has a birth weight that falls within a range for gestational age is considered to have birth weight that is appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Deviation from the normal birth weight has been attributed to genetics, health factors of the fetus, health of the mother, multiple births, and environmental factors [2, 4].
Relevance to Childhood Development
There have been numerous studies which have linked weight for gestational age to later life developments as well as morbidity and mortality. These studies have seen various degrees of success in linking later life occurrences such as propensity for cerebral palsy and other developmental...
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References
Collier, S. A., & Hogues, C. J. R. (2007). Modifiable risk factors for low birth weight and their effect on cerebral palsy and mental retardation. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 11, 65–71.
Gillman, M. W., Rifas-Shiman, S., Berkey, C. S., et al. (2003). Maternal gestational diabetes, birth weight, and adolescent obesity. Pediatrics, 111(3), 221–226.
Mzayek, F., Hassig, S., Sherwin, R., Hughes, J., et al. (2007). The association of birth weight with developmental trends in blood pressure from childhood through mid-adulthood: the bogalusa heart study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 15(4), 413–420.
Persons, R. K., Sevdy, T. L., & Nichols, W. (2008). Does birth weight predict childhood obesity? Journal of Family Practice, 57(6), 409–410.
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Holcomb, M.J., Dean, R.S. (2011). Birth Weight. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_363
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_363
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77579-1
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