Birth Weights (Hansard, 22 June 1998)

§ Mr. Rooney
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics his Department holds on the causes of low birth weight. [46990]

§ Mr. Boateng
There are a number of factors that may be associated with low birth weight. These include prematurity, foetal abnormality, multiple pregnancy, maternal health and nutritional status, maternal smoking or alcohol/drug misuse, geographical and social class associations. Additionally some ethnic groups have smaller babies irrespective of any other factors.
The Department's statistical bulletin "NHS Maternity Statistics, England: 1989–90 to 1994–95", has statistics on birth weight in relation to gestational age.
The Office for National Statistics publication "Mortality statistics—Childhood, infant and perinatal (1995 Series DH3/28)", has statistics on birth weight in relation to mother's country of birth, parity, marital status and father's social class.
The Office for National Statistics publication "Infant and Perinatal Mortality 1997 (Monitor 98/1)", has statistics on birth weight by health authority.
Copies of these publications are in the Library.

§ Mr. Rooney
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the causes of low birth weight. [46989]

§ Mr. Boateng
The National Health Service Executive South Thames Regional Office is funding a project examining the relationship between maternal chronic periodontal disease and birth weight.
The main agency through which the Government support bio-medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The MRC has a portfolio of research into the causes of low birth weight.
We are considering what further research into low birth weight may be required.