In The Gambia, a small country in West Africa, 1 in 10 newborns have a low birth weight — less than 5.5 pounds — and face daunting challenges. They are more likely to die within a month of birth or in their first year, and they experience higher rates of physical and cognitive impairment and higher risks of developing chronic health issues throughout their lives.
But there is a solution: More prenatal checkups support improved birth outcomes. That is a key finding of a new study co-authored by University of Notre Dame researchers, which provides new causal evidence from The Gambia that can help improve the health of newborns. The study was published in PLOS Global Public Health.
Newborn health, measured by birth weight, is an important marker that not only reflects an infant’s immediate well-being but also predicts future health and development. Our study found that more prenatal checkups produce better birth outcomes, and these findings can inform policies that will prioritize the health of mothers and their newborn children.”
Santosh Kumar Gautam, co-author, associate professor of development and global health economics and director of doctoral studies in sustainable development for the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs
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