2 Advances in neonatal medicine have increased the survival rate of these tiny infants, however, serious concerns remain about how these infants will develop and whether or not they will lead normal, productive lives. The likelihood of these problems increases as the child's birth weight decreases. Although there are many known risk factors outside the mother's immediate control that are associated with low birth weight such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, genetic makeup, and obstetric history, the mother's lifestyle behaviors also play a critical role in determining fetal growth.
Cigarette smoking is recognized as the highest known risk factor for low birth weight.
When compared to the base years period, this indicates a 4.5 percent increase in the percent of newborns at greater risk of various health conditions and neuro-developmental disorders. Some of the less populated counties showed a significant change in their ratings among Kansas counties. Republic, Trego, and Greeley counties, recognized during the base years period in the best 10 percent, were rated in the worst 10 percent for 1998. Negative percent change represents improvement. The problem of low birth weight.