Cognitive and motor outcomes in children born low birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies from South Asia

BackgroundSouth Asia contributes substantially to global low birth weight population (i.e. those with birth weight<2500g). Synthesized evidence is lacking on magnitude of cognitive and motor deficits in low birth weight (LBW) children compared to those with normal birth weight (NBW) (i.e. birth weight2500g). The meta-analysis aimed to generate this essential evidence.MethodsLiterature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. Original research articles from south Asia that compared cognitive and/or motor scores among LBW and NBW individuals were included. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and pooled relative risks (RR) were calculated. All analyses were done using STATA 14 software.ResultsNineteen articles (n=5999) were included in the analysis. Children <10years of age born LBW had lower cognitive (WMD -4.56; 95% CI: -6.38, -2.74) and motor scores (WMD -4.16; 95% CI: -5.42, -2.89) compared to children with NBW. Within LBW children, those with birth weight<2000g had much lower cognitive (WMD -7.23, 95% CI; -9.20, -5.26) and motor scores (WMD -6.45, 95% CI; -9.64, -3.27).ConclusionsIn south Asia, children born LBW, especially with <2000g birth weight, have substantial cognitive and motor impairment compared to children with NBW. Early child development interventions should lay emphasis to children born LBW.