| الوصف: |
The most common method is still in use: by measuring the bodyweights of neonates, one can immediately differentiate those whose weights are below 2,500 grams, and who are regarded as being the most endangered newborns. Recently, however, specialists normally differentiate between neonates of body weight below 1,500 grams, those less than 1,000 grams and those who weigh less than 500 grams at birth. At the same time, we have learned that body weight alone is not a reliable parameter to estimate the life chances of a neonate (Macferlene et al., 1980, WHO, 1961, 1970, Wilcox & Russel, 1983, 1990). This is true for a series of reasons: (1) body weight depends on many factors; (2) each weight group is extremely heterogeneous when gestational age, body length and nutritional status (nourishment) are considered (Berkő, 1992, Berkő & Joubert, 2006, 2009, Zadik et al., 2003), however, scientific research needs homogeneous groups to study; (3) since the average birth weights of neonate populations differ greatly by country and race (Meredith, 1970), there is no practical chance to develop uniform weight criteria to be applicable in each country. |