Premature birth and its repercussions on growth and development in guadalajara, jalisco, Mexico
Ramos; Ramirez; Fern&aacuet;dez; Lopez
Cadernos de Saude Publica 14(2): 313-318
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0102-311X PMID: 9658216 Document Number: 531960
A longitudinal study of growth, development and nutritional state of 373 premature infants and 378 term infants born in 1986 was conducted in Jalisco, Mexico. Infants were assessed at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months of age. Socioeconomic data on their families were also collected. 42.9% of premature infants were malnourished compared to 25% of term infants. Developmental problems were observed in 21.8% of premature infants and 8.6% of term infants and mortality was 17.9% in premature infants and 3.3% in term infants. Rates for malnutrition, developmental problems and mortality were increased in poorer social groups. It was concluded that prematurity and low social class are risk factors which should be considered by public health officials when designing health care programmes.