The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced an initiative to have a thirty percent reduction in low<unk>  worldwide. This is public health priority, as<unk>  can have short and long term effects. WHO estimates that worldwide, 15-20 % of all<unk> s each year are considered low<unk> , which is about 20 million<unk> s. The start of prenatal care is very important to help prevent low<unk>  and early medical problems. Going to regular doctor's visits is very important for the health of the mother and the baby. At the visits the OB/GYN will be checking maternal nutrition and weight gain because that is linked with the baby's weight gain. The mother having a healthy diet is essential for the baby. Maintaining good nutrition by taking folic acid, which can be found in fruits and vegetables, is linked to the prevention of premature<unk> s and low<unk> . Alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs should also be avoided during pregnancy because they can also lead to poor growth and other complications. By seeing the doctor they are also able to monitor pre-existing medical illnesses to make sure they are under control during pregnancy. Mothers with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes are more likely to have infants with low<unk> s. One essential action to increase normal<unk> s is to have affordable, accessible, and culturally sensitive prenatal care worldwide. This is essential not just for treating low<unk> , but also preventing it. Other prevention efforts include: smoking cessation programs, food-distribution systems, stress reduction and social service supports.
Birth weight
Gestational age
Infant formula
Birthmark
Childbirth positions
Weight and height percentile
Prenatal nutrition
Infant Mortality Rate