UK failing as more babies born with dangerously low weights

More babies are born at dangerously low birth weights in Britain now than in 1989, a report says.

The study was carried out by the Fabian Society, a left-leaning think-tank, which called the finding a "scar on the national conscience".

It calls for more financial support for at-risk women, better access to antenatal services and one-to-one care for all newborns in intensive care.

The researchers found that in 2006, 78 out of every 1,000 babies were born weighing less than 5lb8oz (2.5kg). That amounted to a total of more than 50,000 babies.

In 1989, 67 out of every 1,000 babies were born under weight.

Low-birth weight is linked to an increased risk death and disability, and a range of long-term health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and depression.

The report also found lone parents were nine times as likely to have a stillbirth as other parents.
Babies born to working-class mothers were twice as likely to die before their first birthday as those with middle-class parents.

"The facts should shock us all. Britain has the worst rate of every country in western Europe, except Greece.

"And being born very small creates health risks throughout life - and will affect the health of babies they will themselves have years later."

Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman said: "We have made important progress since 1997 on reducing child poverty and creating the early years agenda.

"We must now be bolder and develop the new policies to make building a fairer society the central theme of Labour's next term in office.

"The Fabian Society's evidence on inequalities at birth must be studied carefully by government and the Labour party. The political argument will need to be won too."