Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Newborns weigh in at comparably low levels

Newborns weigh in at comparably low levels

Newborns weigh in at comparably low levels

Cambodia has the highest prevalence of underweight newborns among nearly 30 countries studied in a new medical report.

But the untimely births of too-small infants is attributable more to the mother’s medical conditions than to frequently scapegoated socioeconomic factors, according to the study by Japan’s National Center for Child Health and Development.

Some 19 per cent of Cambodia’s recorded hospital births resulted in infants small for their gestational age – or the number of weeks they were carried. The rate was followed by Nepal at 17 per cent, then Palestine and Japan. Afghanistan had the lowest observed prevalence.

The premature, underweight births were found to correlate with illnesses afflicting the mothers, like pre-eclampsia – a high blood pressure condition that can lead to seizures – rather than development indices. Around 31 per cent of the preterm and too-small babies delivered in Cambodian hospitals were born to mothers ill with pre-eclampsia or the more severe form, eclampsia.

“Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are one of the leading causes of maternal deaths around the world, not just in Cambodia,” said Dr Tung Rathavy, director of the National Maternal and Child Health Centre.

But while a country’s income level may not be among the risk factors causing premature babies to be born too small, the wealth component certainly has much to do with whether the mother and infant can survive to the baby’s first birthday.

“The quality of neonatal intensive care is vital to prevent mortality,” the study stays.

But in Cambodia, where the maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the world at an estimated 206 deaths per 1,000 births, just over half of pregnant women receive the four internationally recommended doctor visits. And only nine per cent of women typically see a doctor during their check-up, while almost half did not have requisite tests.

“If headway is going to be made on infant and maternal deaths, access to and quality of health care for pregnant women has to be improved,” said Mu Sochua, former Minister of Women’s Affairs and opposition lawmaker.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument