Prematurity and Low Birth Weight in Neonates as a Risk Factor for Obesity, Hypertension, and Chronic Kidney Disease in Pediatric and Adult Age.

Low weight at birth may be due to intrauterine growth restriction or premature birth. Preterm birth is more common in low- and middle-income countries: 60% of preterm birth occur in sub-Saharan African or South Asian countries. However, in some higher-income countries, preterm birth rates appear to be increasing in relation to a reduction in the lower threshold of fetal viability.