Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 March 2009
The two components of low birth weight — preterm delivery and fetal growth retardation — lead singly or in combination to a heavy burden of mortality, short- and long-term morbidity, and high medical and social costs. Although different types of long-term morbidity are still being identified, the primary focus of concern has been neurodevelopmental disability resulting from the cerebral palsies, hydrocephalus, and visual and auditory deficits among survivors of very low birth weight. Additional special risks in such infants include chronic lung disease, acute lower respiratory infections, and rehospitalization in infancy and early childhood.