Drivers and Consequences of Low Birth Weight

In this episode of Milestones in Maternal Nutrition, Professor Andrew Prentice speaks with Professor Parul Christian about the drivers and lifelong consequences of low birth weight. Professor Christian explains how nutritional factors such as maternal undernutrition, inadequate gestational weight gain, anemia, and multiple micronutrient deficiencies contribute to preterm birth and fetal growth restriction, which are major underlying causes of low birth weight. The discussion highlights the growing shift from focusing on single nutrients to improving overall maternal nutrition through balanced energy, protein and multiple micronutrient supplementation. Together, they explore how low birth weight increases the risk of poor growth, stunting, infection, and developmental challenges throughout childhood and later life, underscoring the importance of maternal nutrition across the first 1,000 days.