Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

postnatal growth—programs to avoid under-nutrition or the development of overweight or obesity
during childhood, including increasing the proportion of mothers exclusively breastfeeding to around
six months. This would be an extension of present growth monitoring at child health clinics to
ensure universal care.
In Australia, low birthweight is observed more often in the babies of younger or older mothers, first-time
mothers, single mothers and indigenous mothers. Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and the
nutritional status of pregnant women are also factors.
The overall proportion of low-birthweight infants in Australia is relatively low by international
standards at 6.2% in 2007, but in Aboriginal Australians it was significantly higher at 13.7% (Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare 2010). It is interesting to note that in the United States the prevalence of
low birthweight in black Americans is about the same as that for Australian Aboriginal people. i
Programs to reduce the prevalence of low birthweight should be a high priority. Maternal nutrition is
particularly important, not just during pregnancy but also prior to conception. The nutrition of girls is
obviously very important, so that they enter adulthood in a state of nutrition that prepares them for
pregnancy.
Conclusion
The Developmental Origins of Adult Disease hypothesis explains many facets of the current epidemic of
chronic disease occurring around the world, but many aspects of the hypothesis and the developing
science of epigenetics need further research. These developments suggest that further programs for
maternal, prenatal and child nutrition should be implemented. Programs designed to achieve the goals of
improved maternal and child nutrition can be justified on many grounds, have no downside, and should
therefore be promoted without waiting for further evidence.
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