§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
What correlations have been identified between low birth weight and subsequent ill health, and where the relevant research has been reported.
§ Baroness CumberlegeAssociations have been identified between lower birth weight and subsequent disease including cardiovascular disorders, obstructive lung disease and some types of diabetes. These associations have been reported in scientific journals and elsewhere.
30WAFurther research is needed to advance our understanding of these relationships, and the Medical Research Council, funded by my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade, has developed a programme of research to investigate them.