What is it about?
We studied what factors influence whether babies with low birth weight in Indonesia survive their first five years. Using nationally representative survey data from 625 children, we examined how child characteristics, maternal care, household conditions, and health services impact survival. Our findings show that exclusive breastfeeding, proper prenatal care, and place of delivery are important for survival, though surprisingly, babies born in health facilities had a higher risk of death.
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Photo by Han Myo Htwe on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Low birth weight significantly increases the risk of child mortality. Understanding what improves survival helps guide healthcare interventions, maternal support, and public health policies. This evidence is crucial to reduce preventable deaths among vulnerable children and to help Indonesia meet the Sustainable Development Goals for child health.
Perspectives
Working on this study highlighted how critical early-life interventions are for babies with low birth weight. It also revealed surprising gaps, such as the higher mortality in health facilities, which calls for deeper investigation. We hope our findings encourage policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to focus on targeted interventions that ensure every baby born with low birth weight has a better chance at survival.
Mr Ferry Efendi
Universitas Airlangga
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Predictors of Survival in Under-Five Children with Low Birth Weight: A Population-Based Study in Indonesia, Nursing Reports, June 2025, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep15070238.
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