| A baby’s weight at birth is a good
indicator of both the mother’s health status and the infant’s chances of
survival and development. Infants who weigh less than 2.5 kg at birth face high immediate
and long-term risks. But this key indicator is not well monitored as many of the 116
million children born each year in developing countries are not weighed at birth. Over 20
million – more than one in every five children – are low-birthweight babies. Low birthweight (less than 2.5 kg, about 5.5 pounds) is a major factor in the deaths each year of 4 million infants before the age of one month and in illnesses affecting millions
more. Evidence is mounting that low birthweight leads to a 50% greater risk of diabetes,
heart disease and cancer later in life.
Data from 34 countries show that in 16 of them (see list), more than half of infants
are not weighed at birth. In Chad, Egypt, Haiti, Niger and Pakistan, 80% or more of
newborns are not weighed.
Nearly half of all births in developing countries are not attended by doctors, nurses
or midwives. Traditional birth attendants, who assist deliveries in the absence of trained
health personnel in their communities, can play useful roles by encouraging weight gain
during pregnancy and weighing the babies they deliver. |
The unweighed |
% of infants not weighed at birth
|
| Chad |
89 |
| Pakistan |
88 |
| Egypt |
84 |
| Haiti |
82 |
| Niger |
80 |
| Rwanda |
74 |
| Nigeria |
73 |
| Uganda |
73 |
| Mali |
69 |
| Madagascar |
64 |
| Comoros |
55 |
| Mozambique |
55 |
| Togo |
55 |
| Kenya |
54 |
| Zambia |
53 |
| Senegal |
51 |
Sources: DHS (1990-1999) and additional analysis. |
|
