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Low birth weight, very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight in African children aged between 0 and 5 years old: a systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 April 2016

M. E. Tchamo ,
A. Prista  and
C. G. Leandro
M. E. Tchamo
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Pedagogic University, Maputo, Mozambique
A. Prista
Affiliation:
Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Pedagogic University, Maputo, Mozambique
C. G. Leandro*
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, CAV, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil
*
*Address for correspondence: C. G. Leandro, Núcleo de Educação Física e Ciências do Esporte-Universidade Federal de Pernambuco-Vitória de Santo Antão-PE, Brasil. (Email [email protected])
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Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW<2500), very low birth weight (VLBW<1500), extremely low birth weight (ELBW<1500) infants are at high risk for growth failure that result in delayed development. Africa is a continent that presents high rates of children born with LBW, VLBW and ELBW particularly sub-Saharan Africa. To review the existing literature that explores the repercussions of LBW, VLBW and ELBW on growth, neurodevelopmental outcome and mortality in African children aged 0–5 years old. A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles using Academic Search Complete in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus and Scholar Google. Quantitatives studies that investigated the association between LBW, VLBW, ELBW with growth, neurodevelopmental outcome and mortality, published between 2008 and 2015 were included. African studies with humans were eligible for inclusion. From the total of 2205 articles, 12 articles were identified as relevant and were subsequently reviewed in full version. Significant associations were found between LBW, VLBW and ELBW with growth, neurodevelopmental outcome and mortality. Surviving VLBW and ELBW showed increased risk of death, growth retardation and delayed neurodevelopment. Post-neonatal interventions need to be carried out in order to minimize the short-term effects of VLBW and ELBW.

Keywords

African childrenbirth weightgrowthnewborn children
Type
Review
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , August 2016 , pp. 408 - 415
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2016 

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