Prevention of low birth weight: Assessing the effectiveness of interventions (evidence briefing)

Low birth weight is an enduring aspect of childhood morbidity, a major factor in infant mortality and has serious consequences for health in later life. This evidence briefing focuses on the effectiveness of smoking cessation and nutritional interventions for the prevention of low birth weight. The evidence is derived primarily from selected good quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses published since nintey ninety-six. It aims to identify smoking cessation and nutrition interventions shown to be effective in preventing low birth weight. It is intended to inform policy and decisionmakers, NHS providers, public health physicians and other public health practitioners.