Disparity by Race and Ethnicity in Low Birth Weight, Essay Example

There exist a huge disparity by race and ethnicity among the infants born with low birth weight in U.S. with a two to one LBW disparity, the black-white disparity is the greatest. LBW is most likely to occur to infant born to black mothers than those born to white mothers. In fact, in 2013, 13% percent of the baby born to Africa America mothers was low birth weight compared to 6% of those born to white mothers (Bennett & Sells (2013). Statistics shows that the rates of LBW for other racial groups such as American Indians and Asians were 6.8 and 7.3 respectively. In addition black mother are 63% likely of having a preterm birth than white mothers. Another study showed that the rate of LBW differs among women of different origin. In 2013, the rate of LBW in white and women with Hispanic origin was 6.8%, Mexican and Cuban mother had lower rates of 6.5% and 6.0% respectively.

Decade of research on the cause, risk factor, and protective factors that are associated with LBW yielded a great deal of information. Most researchers agree that the LBW disparities that exist between different race and ethnicity lay within vast complex interactions between many factors. Fortunately, improvement can be made by improving of women health before conception and during pregnancy.

The birth and upbringing the VLBW infants are associated with long-term stress to the family and further extra financial cost. Mother is the most affected member of the family and may need psychological support. Infant born with VLBW are more likely to die at early age. Those who survive have higher risk of developing health related complication, ranging from severe sensory impairment to learning difficulties (Cooke, 2013). Medical practitioners need to increase the awareness of the need of such families so that their medical and social needs are met effectively.

March of dimes is a Support service within the Albuquerque, New Mexico community for preterm infant and family.

The following is the link: http://www.marchofdimes.org/newmexico/

References

Bennett F.C, and Sells (2013). Growth and development of infants weighing less than 800 grams at birth. Pediatrics journals. 71 (3): pp319-23.

Cooke R.W.(2013). Factors affecting survival and outcome at 3 years in extremely pre-term infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal. 71 (1): pp28-31.