The number of infants with low birth weight is reduced according to a recent estimate, only very slowly. Thus, waves in 2015 approximately 20.5 million infants worldwide at birth less than 2500 grams. The almost 15 percent of live-born babies, report scientists from the world health organization, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Unicef in a study.

In the year 2000, the rate was higher at 17.4 percent. To achieve the goal of the WHO, would have to be the decline, but significantly stronger.

The scientists keep the birth weight of infants is an important indicator for the General health of a population. Of the 195 WHO member States want to reduce, therefore, the number of underweight newborns from 2012 to 2025 to 30 percent.

In order to achieve the target, would have to go back to the number of views of the weight critical births each year to 2.74 percent, the authors write in The journal “The Lancet Global Health”. So far, the annual reduction in the cut but at only 1.23 percent.

Data were used to 281 million births in 148 countries. Included in the study, children with low birth weight, including premature babies

Especially difficult the Situation is, therefore, in South Asia. There is 26.4% of the newborns were in 2015, according to the estimate slightly, to the world. In the African countries South of the Sahara, it was 14 percent. The authors of the report point out that it is precisely from these countries not so many reliable data is available: “The smallest newborn is often missing in the data systems, as well children who die shortly after birth.”

Even in prosperous countries of Europe, North America, Australia and new Zealand, there was according to the study, since the year 2000, hardly any progress in reducing the proportion of births with low birth weight. In poorer countries, an inadequate growth in the womb was the most common cause for low birth weight, says the study. In more developed regions, the slopes often with a premature birth, before 37. Week of pregnancy.

Affected children suffer accordingly, at a higher risk for developing disabilities, as well as diseases in later life, including chronic diseases such as Diabetes and cardiovascular disease.