Bottom Line Health
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| These studies have shown that low birth weight increases coronary risk later in life. Others have shown a link between youthful obesity and adult coronary disease. But this study suggests that youngsters who are not obese may still be at an increased risk.
"The group of children at risk is identified by their current stage [of growth] in comparison to where they were earlier," says Barker.
While the study singled out children of low birth weight, the finding "potentially applies to anyone," Barker says. |
Ann M. Coulston and Carol J. Boushey
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 The greatest risk remained, however, in women of low birth weight who developed obesity as adults [96].
Data obtained from rat studies confirm human observations. Pregnant rats fed isoenergetic protein-restricted diets gave birth to offspring with low birth weights, reduced pancreatic P-cell mass and islet vascularization, and an impaired insulin response [98,99], conditions that were not restored by normal nutrition after birth [99]. These offspring experienced diabetic pregnancies, exposing their fetus to hyperglycemia and increasing their risk of becoming diabetic adults. |
John J. Ratey, MD
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 Stress, anxiety, and depression can have a frighteningly powerful impact on a pregnancy, and, in the extreme, can result in miscarriage, low birth weight, birth defects, or death of the baby. Babies born to unhappy mothers are fussier, less responsive, harder to soothe, and have unpredictable sleep patterns. And in follow-up tests, these babies are more likely to be hyperactive and suffer cognitive impairments. In rodent models, pups born to mothers subjected to stress during pregnancy (by way of shocking their feet) are skittish, clumsy, and less adventurous. |
Andreas Moritz
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 Depression, anorexia, low birth weight, slow growth, mental retardation, and amenorrhea are associated with deficiencies of zinc and, with the exception of amenorrhea, iron.
• Excess fiber consumption affects the onset of menstruation, retards uterine growth and, is associated with menstrual dysfunction.
Because of phytates, Dr. David Southgate, considered the world's leading authority on the effects of fiber, concludes that infants, children, young adolescents and pregnant women whose mineral needs are greater should avoid excessive consumption of fiber. |
Dr. Abram Hoffer, MD, FRCP (C) and Dr. Harold D. Foster, PhD
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 The anemia associated with malaria is linked to miscarriage, still-birth, and low birth weight.10
Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium, which infects red blood cells. The protozoans cannot live outside their hosts and depend completely on the glucose, enzymes, and metabolism of such cells to survive.11 This parasitic relationship eventually destroys the red blood cells, usually at 2- or 3-day intervals. The release of associated waste products and pigments causes the intermittent fever and chills seen in malaria sufferers. |
Shannon Brownlee
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 Any fewer specialists and the death rate began to climb among infants, particularly those born prematurely, at low birth weight, or with birth defects. Happily, there are only a few parts of the country that don't have enough neonatologists, or enough beds in a neonatal ICU, where the sickest babies are cared for. On the other hand, there are many areas of the country with extra specialists, beyond the 4.3 per ten thousand births—and excess neonatal intensive care beds because neonatal ICUs are profitable. Those additional doctors and beds do nothing to further reduce the infant death rate. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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 Low prepregnant weight and inadequate weight gain during pregnancy are dominant contributors to intrauterine growth retardation20 and low birth weight.2' Maternal prepregnant weight and weight gain in pregnancy also have an impact on early infant death rates. For women who are underweight prior to pregnancy, the perinatal mortality risk at birth is lowest when their weight gain during pregnancy is greater than 37 pounds. For women who had normal weight prior to pregnancy, the lowest risk is with a weight gain of 30 to 37 pounds. |
| These include women who have had several full-term pregnancies, previous low birth weight deliveries, and short intervals between births. Women with medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic renal disease, anemia, and phenylketonuria all require special attention to dietary counseling. Use of prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamin and mineral supplements, laxatives, and diet aids should all be reviewed by a qualified health-care practitioner.
The average amount of weight gain is 28 pounds. |
Dr. Steve Blake
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 Low maternal zinc status has been associated with low birth weight and premature delivery. Mothers with low zinc levels also have more labor and delivery complications than mothers with normal zinc levels. Zinc supplementation has been found to help pregnant women who have low nutritional status. Zinc supplementation has not been as effective with pregnant women in the developed world where nutrient intakes are generally more adequate.
ZINC AND AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Zinc supplementation has been found to help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration in some studies. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| Low zinc was also associated with the specific complication of fetal distress79 and may be associated with central nervous system abnormalities in infants, including neural tube defects,80 81 as well as low birth weight infants82-84 and toxemia of pregnancy.85 Supplementation, especially if zinc levels are low, is recommended to reduce the risk of fetal and maternal complications.86 In one study, labor complications (vaginal bleeding, fetal acidosis, uterine inertia) were improved. |
| Smoking during pregnancy increases the incidence of premature labor,17 low birth weight,18 and infant complications.19 These complications may not be alleviated by increased maternal caloric intake. In addition, women who abuse alcohol and use
KEY CONCEPTS
• Eat a healthy, whole foods diet, high in healthy oils (low-mercury fish high in omega-3 oils), complex carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, organic meats and dairy, legumes, and nuts and seeds.
• Avoid situations that would increase risk of acute illness.
• Manage medical problems safely and effectively, as necessary. |
Stacy Malkan
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 Several factors may hasten the onset of puberty in girls, including low birth weight and premature birth, obesity and environmental exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, Dr. Steingraber reported.3
The evidence suggests that the metaphor of the reproductive system as a "biological clock" — a fixed entity insensitive to environmental input — is misleading. "Puberty is less like a clock and more like a musical performance, with our bodies as the keyboards and the environment
Reducing Carcinogens
In May 2007, the Silent Spring Institute and Susan B. |
Bottom Line Health
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| While the study singled out children of low birth weight, the finding "potentially applies to anyone," Barker says. "If they don't grow normally in the first two years after birth—for whatever reason—then put on fat rather than muscle, they end up with a body that is high in fat and low in muscle."
Such children "are vulnerable, but they are not doomed," he says. Their risk can be reduced by an emphasis on improving their diet and exercise patterns. |
| Maternal asthma is a risk factor for prematurity and low birth weight in babies, and physicians and other health-care professionals need to assess present and past asthma, even up to five years prior, in order to properly assess risk for premature labor," says lead author Dr. Joel Liem, a research fellow in pediatric allergy and clinical immunology at the University of Manitoba.
STUDY #3: ASTHMA AND STRESS
Another research group at the University of Manitoba found that children were 1. |
| Prematurity and low birth weight are the leading causes of infant mortality among African-American infants and the second-leading cause of mortality among all infants.
However, attention is now shifting to the late preterm babies because they, too, can experience similar complications, such as respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia and longer stays in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU).
"They certainly have more complications at birth, and end up anywhere from a few days to a few weeks in the neonatal ICU," Green says. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| Supplementation with calcium—the only mineral whose requirement doubles during pregnancy9— has been positively correlated with prevention of pregnancy hypertension,10 preeclampsia,11, 12 preterm delivery,13 and low birth weight,14 as well as puerperal psychosis (postpartum depression).15 Magnesium supplementation has also been shown to reduce the complications of pregnancy and improve the health of the infant.16
In addition to taking nutritional supplements, certain substances should be avoided in preparation for and during pregnancy. |
Mark Sircus
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 The survival rate of very preterm, low birth weight infants (weighing less than 1500 g) is 85 per cent in the USA and is ever increasing, while 42 to 75 per cent of extremely premature infants (weighing 751-1000 g) survive. Of great concern is the lack of consistent decrease in neurological syndromes and associated visual impairments. Because of short gestations, these infants have not had time to accrue up to 80 per cent of magnesium normally present at term. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| Deficiencies of folic acid have been linked in studies to low birth weight infants and neural tube defects.
According to one controlled study, women at high risk (having previously given birth to babies with neural tube defects) who were given folate supplementation showed a 72 percent protective effect compared to the placebo group.25 In one study, a group of pregnant women given folate supplementation gave birth to infants with increased birth weight and Apgar scores and had a decreased incidence of fetal growth retardation and maternal infections. |
Tom Bohager
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 Pregnant women with BV more often have babies who are born premature or with low birth weight. If you suspect you have BV, you should see your doctor.
BV is treated with antibiotic therapy. Enzyme therapy can be used to cleanse the body of the Candida overgrowth and deter its return. |
Ann M. Coulston and Carol J. Boushey
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| First is rapidly emerging evidence regarding the contributory role of nutrition in the etiology of preterm birth, low birth weight, and some birth defects, as well as its essential role in early postnatal development. Because of the growing numbers of nutrients shown to be involved in normal development, the importance of whole foods versus supplements is also becoming apparent. The second major point, which follows from the first, is that early nutrition intervention is crucial to the individual child's attaining his or her highest potential. |
| The following brief review of research findings will illustrate that associations between nutrition and pregnancy outcome are becoming more apparent.
1. low birth weight, Preterm Birth
Risk of preterm birth (before 37 weeks' gestation), LBW (<2500 g), or being small for gestational age (SGA) increases by about 50% with short interpregnancy intervals (< 18 mo) and <2 years postmenarche in U.S. women compared to those who are adults or who have an interpregnancy interval of 18 to 23 months; this cannot be entirely explained by social or behavioral factors [8]. |
| Improved survival rates with increased neurodevelopmental disability for extremely low birth weight infants in the 1990s. Pediatrics 116, 997-1003.
42. Poets, C. F. (2004). Gastroesophageal reflux: a critical review of its role in preterm infants. Pediatrics 113, el28-el32.
43. Gewolb, I. H., and Vice, F. L. (2006). Abnormalities in the coordination of respiration and swallow in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 48(7), 595-599.
44. Heiman, H., and Schanler, R. J. (2007). Enteral nutrition for premature infants: the role of human milk. Sem. |
| Risk for Developmental Disability Related to Nutritional Disorders
An adequate supply of nutrients, both macro and micro, may be the most important environmental factor in determining the optimal growth and development of the fetus. low birth weight (LBW), resulting from preterm birth or intrauterine growth retardation, has long been established as a major risk factor for developmental disabilities (discussed next), but maternal nutritional status has not always been considered as a causal factor. |
| Including children who are born prematurely or with a low birth weight, considered to be at high risk for developing a special health care need, as well as children with some common chronic health concerns (e.g., asthma) raises the overall prevalence to an estimated 30% [3].
As many as 40% to 60% of children with special health care needs are at risk for one or more problems with nutritional status, ranging from slow growth and poor feeding to more severe gastrointestinal problems and metabolic disorders [4] (also Baer and Herman, 1997, unpublished data). |
Mark Sircus
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| These low birth weight infants are 60 to 75 times more likely to develop cerebral palsy than babies that reach a normal weight before birth ?and the number of children with cerebral palsy is growing. In studies done another surprising outcome was the reduction of mental retardation when magnesium was provided during pregnancy.15
Allergies and Asthma
Increasingly we see evidence of the effects of magnesium deficiency in childhood, which collide with other factors like constant exposure to toxic chemicals and the violent chemical invasions offered by vaccines. Dr. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Causes_
Usually cerebral palsy is associated with a lack of oxygen during birth, a premature birth, or low birth weight. low birth weight is related to premature delivery; for this reason, mothers who experience early contractions may be placed on medications to prolong their pregnancy. In recent years, it's been shown that low birth weight may be related to the expectant mother smoking or taking drugs. There is an especially high risk of cerebral palsy in drug-addicted mothers. |
Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.
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 Necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis have also been reported, but again only in very low birth weight, premature babies given high doses of vitamin E. Neither sepsis nor necrotizing enterocolitis have been reported in mature neonates, children, or adults taking vitamin E supplementation. At doses of 1,000 mg or less a day, vitamin E enhances immune function, especially in the elderly and in those with nutritionally related immune suppression.546
Thrombophlebitis has been reported in an uncontrolled series but larger, controlled studies have not reported such a complication. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 Zinc alone, if given to expectant mothers, can reduce the incidence of low birth weight infants by nearly one third. Vitamin D supplementation can prevent prostate cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis and many other disorders. And magnesium, of course, can greatly improve cardiovascular health and actually help prevent heart attacks. And we haven't even talked about the healthy oils and how supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids or macadamia nut oil can greatly enhance cardiovascular health while improving nervous system function. |
Mike Adams
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 It's illegal for a supplement maker who sells zinc to claim that zinc reduces the risk of low birth weight in infants or accelerates the healing of flesh wounds during postsurgical recovery. Yet, all of these things are undeniably true. It is illegal for supplement manufacturers to make these basic statements of truth because the system of medicine that is in power today adamantly enforces censorship, oppression, and tyranny in order to maintain control and restrict information from the public.
My position is exactly the opposite. I believe in sharing information. |
Kelly Patricia O'Meara
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 Other causal factors (such as low birth weight, prenatal maternal smoking and additional prenatal problems) may contribute to other cases of ADHD. Problems in parenting or parenting styles may make ADHD better or worse, but these do not cause the disorder. ADHD is clearly a brain-based disorder. Currently research is under way to better define the areas and pathways that are involved."25
Huh? Where does one begin to wade through this psycho-babble yah, yah? In a nutshell, CHADD is as clueless as the NIH, the APA and the pharmaceutical companies when it comes to the cause(s) of ADHD. |
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