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London is capital of low birthweight babies
Sophie Goodchild, Health and Social Affairs Correspondent2 Sep 2009
London has the highest rate in the country for babies who are born underweight.
Midwives delivered 11,489 infants weighing less than 5lb 8oz last year, according to figures published today. This total includes 1,787 babies delivered weighing less than 3lb 5oz.
The capital's high IVF rate and mothers from deprived communities are said to be the reason. Low birthweight is one of the commonest risk factors for infant deaths.
Women who undergo fertility treatment and conceive twins are likely to give birth early to smaller babies.
Immigration is also to blame with many women failing to attend ante-natal appointments.
Maternity staff are unable to detect early enough the complications which can trigger premature birth.
The Office for National Statistics findings show there were 127,651 live births in London last year.
