CH31249

Risks Involved with Low Birth Weight

Low birth weight is defined by a baby born at or below 5.5 pounds (HGD 77-79). There are certain contributing risk factors when a baby is born below “healthy” weight including eating, gaining weight, and fighting off infections (Very Low Birthweight). These are legitimate medical concerns, however some lesser sources or media based outlets contribute low birth weights to certain psychiatric illnesses (Piper). However, this cite and its readers fall victim to Barrett’s Laws 6 and 8. The scientists involved noted a 10% correlation between infants with low birth rates that later developed schizophrenia (Piper), which the author took as viable evidence toward her case. Law 8 would be violated, if this cite were used as a viable source as, the results of the research seem plausible to the untrained eye but under further review the article offers no real evidence to prove low birth weights attribute to psychiatric breaks, only uses repetition to restate her case and add depth to her argument. These Neonates(HGD 241) are at risk for “ problems such as respiratory distress syndrome prematurity caused by immature lungs), neurological problems such as intraventricular hemorrhage (bleeding inside the brain) ,gastrointestinal problems such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) - a serious disease of the intestine common in premature babies, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)” (Very Low Birthweight). Many of these problems occur because of issues that occur during prenatal development, including problems with the placenta (Very Low Birthweight). This organ is responsible for the transfer of oxygen, nutrients, and other such substances from the mother to child ( HGD 61). And without proper transfer the baby is malnourished and underweight, leading to the suggested problems above. However Psychiatric instabilities are not included in proved risks involved with a low birth rate. “The main risk factor for psychiatric symptoms was low socioeconomic status” (Pediatr). Though there is a correlation between low socioeconomic status and low birth weigh due to low nutrition opportunities and prenatal care. Works Cited

Barrett. "Table of Contents." //Fuzzy Science//. Barrett, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2013. .

Pediatr, J. "Result Filters." //National Center for Biotechnology Information//. U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2010. Web. 02 Feb. 2013. .

Piper, Lucy. "Birthweight Extremes Influence Psychotic Symptom Severity." //Birthweight Extremes Influence Psychotic Symptom Severity//. News Medical, 30 Jan. 2013. Web. 02 Feb. 2013. .

"Very Low Birthweight." //Very Low Birthweight//. Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, 2013. Web. 02 Feb. 2013. .

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