Low Birth Weight is defined as a baby born at 5.8 pounds or below. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, in its report, A Healthy Start, Begin Before Baby’s Born, states that babies born to mothers who received no or non-adequate prenatal care are more likely to be born at low birth weight. According to the March of Dimes, other factors that may result in low birth weight include multiple births, smoking or drug use during pregnancy, inadequate maternal nutrition, stress during pregnancy, issues with the placenta, in utero infections, and the age of the mother with more low weight births among teenage mothers and mothers over the age of 35.

Low birth weight can increase issues with learning capabilities as the child gets older. According to a study published in the December 6, 2011 print issue of Neurology, babies born at a very low birth weight are more likely to have memory and attention problems than babies born at a low to normal weight. Local early childhood educators and experts say this can have an impact on a child's overall development and learning.  For children, low birth weight puts them at a higher risk for chronic illness and developmental delays. For families, caring for a child with long term health issues and developmental delays can be a source of increased stress as well as a financial strain. For the community, providing an appropriate education for children with health and developmental issues can require costly interventions and services. The cost of educating a typical child in Wethersfield is about $15,500 a year (ctschoolfinance.org). Educating a child with special needs can cost many times that amount.

Currently Wethersfield is tracking above the state average in numbers of low birth weight babies.   It is important to note that the vast majority of these low birth weight babies in Wethersfield are being born to white, non-Hispanic mothers.  Wethersfield has seen an increase to 41% (2015) of white, non-Hispanic mothers receiving non-adequate prenatal care and one has to speculate that perhaps the lack of prenatal care is resulting in low birth weight babies.

Suggested interventions incorporated into strategies have been developed in accordance with research and best practices in the field. They include:

• Interviews with hospitals to collect data on why woman may not be getting adequate prenatal care
• Focus Groups with expectant mothers
• Prenatal Care Surveys 
• Resource Guide/Website that includes healthcare information for woman and children in Wethersfield
• Increased enrollment in insurance plans
• Study of role of transportation in increasing access to prenatal care

Strategy 1:Develop a better understanding of why some of Wethersfield’s White non-Hispanic women are not receiving adequate prenatal care

Actions:

• Conduct interviews with additional healthcare providers serving Wethersfield women. Based on these results, investigate available data to further refine which factors contribute to non-adequate prenatal care.
• Conduct focus groups with expectant and/or new mothers to understand behaviors and barriers that may affect prenatal care.
• Incorporate prenatal care questions into the next BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) community assessment conducted by the CCHD.

Strategy 2: Promote awareness and use of existing OB/GYN services in Wethersfield.

Actions:

• Partner with Wethersfield’s OB/GYN providers on a facilitated referral program.
• Create one centrally located place for families to obtain information about Wethersfield services, including healthcare for expectant women and their children.
• Increase awareness and use of healthcare coverage options for pregnant women in Wethersfield by collaborating with the CT Department of Social Services (DSS) to promote and increase enrollment in the HUSKY insurance program.
• Determine whether the lack of transportation is a barrier to women receiving adequate prenatal care.

• State of Connecticut
• CT Department of Social Services (DSS
• Central Connecticut Health District (CCHD)
• Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
• Town of Wethersfield
• Town of Wethersfield Department of Youth and Social Services
• Wethersfield's Medical Community
• WIC

Over the years Wethersfield parents have asked for "one central place" to access information. To this end WECC has created the following:

• Staff - Family and Early Childhood Coordinator (one person parents can go to for information)
• Resource Guide - paper guide to all resources for families
• Virtual Family Resource Center - www.wethersfieldchildhood.com

WECC has also created "Baby Bags" to be distributed at local hospitals.  The bags include:

• A letter from local leaders (Welcome to the World Little One)
• Business Card - Family and Early Childhood Coordinator
• Early Childhood Resource Guide
• Information on Wethersfield's Virtual Family Resource Centre www.wethersfieldchildhood.com
• One book
• Parks and Recreation Guide
• Flyer on Social Services (WIC, SNAP, and Food Resources)
• 211 flyer
• Care4Kids Application

It is our hope that all these resources will lead help us turn the curve on this issue. 

Data related to low birth weight is updated annually by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and can be found in their Vital Statistic Report, Table 4. Based on experience, new data should be available each spring.

The Vital Statistic Report can be found at:

http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3132&q=394598&dphNav_GID=1601

A correlation exists between teen pregnancy rates and low birth weight. Researchers believe this is because teenage mothers are more prone to risky behaviors during pregnancy such as drinking, smoking, and drug use, and that they may be less diligent about proper nutrition/vitamin use during pregnancy. These are all contributing factors to low birth weight. While Wethersfield remains below the state average in teen pregnancies, the trend over time shows that the rate for Wethersfield remains consistent. This is during period of time that the state average has trended downward.  The numbers are not alarming for Wethersfield, but always worth exploring and understanding.