Goldenberg R L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35233-7333.
Prev Med. 1994 Sep;23(5):627-31. doi: 10.1006/pmed.1994.1103.
Low birthweight and its components preterm birth and fetal growth retardation account for the vast majority of perinatal mortality and more than 50% of the long term neurologic morbidity.
Historical trends and the effectiveness of various interventions designed to improve pregnancy outcomes associated with low birthweight were evaluated in an attempt to define which future research efforts might be useful.
Practices aimed at achieving a reduction in the low birthweight rate (the use of tocolytics, enhanced prenatal care, nutritional interventions) have not generally been successful or have not been widely utilized (smoking cessation programs). Practices aimed at improving low birthweight survival and reducing morbidity (group B streptococcus prophylaxis, maternal corticosteroids, surfactant use, newborn ventilation) have been responsible for most of the improvements in outcome.
Continued effort into discovering effective practices for reducing low birthweight, for understanding the most appropriate methods of implementing practices known to be effective in reducing low birthweight, and refinement of practices known to reduce mortality and long term handicap in low birthweight babies should be major foci of prevention research.
低出生体重及其组成部分早产和胎儿生长受限占围产期死亡的绝大部分，以及超过50%的长期神经疾病发病率。
评估历史趋势以及旨在改善与低出生体重相关的妊娠结局的各种干预措施的有效性，以确定哪些未来的研究工作可能有用。
旨在降低低出生体重率的做法（使用宫缩抑制剂、强化产前护理、营养干预）通常并不成功或未得到广泛应用（戒烟计划）。旨在改善低出生体重儿存活率和降低发病率的做法（B族链球菌预防、母体皮质类固醇、表面活性剂使用、新生儿通气）是结局改善的主要原因。
继续努力发现降低低出生体重的有效做法，理解实施已知可有效降低低出生体重的做法的最合适方法，以及完善已知可降低低出生体重儿死亡率和长期残疾的做法，应成为预防研究的主要重点。
