Should the Definition of Low Birth Weight Be Same in Every Ethnicity Considering the DOHaD Concept?

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant concern not only because of its association with perinatal outcomes, but also because of its long-term impact on future health. Despite the physical differences among individuals of different ethnicities, the definition of LBW remains the same for all ethnicities. This study aimed to explore and discuss this issue. We compiled national data from several countries and found that maternal height was negatively correlated with LBW incidence. We discovered the INTERGROWTH-21st chart may not be suitable for the Japanese population, as the Japanese birth weight chart differs from the INTERGROWTH-21st chart. Researchers have reported different LBW cutoff values used to assess adverse perinatal outcomes for different countries. However, there is currently no definition of LBW independent of the mother's country of origin that can be used for predicting the risk of adverse health outcomes. Therefore, the current era of personalized healthcare may be the perfect time to establish a standard definition of LBW which is independent of the mother's country of origin. Considering the future of healthcare, it seems an apt time to discuss the development of a more meaningful definition of LBW that can be applied across ethnicities. Further research is needed to investigate the cutoff values of LBW in every ethnicity.