In recent years, the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health and Rajavithi Hospital - formerly known as the Hospital of Mothers and Children - have encountered a rise in this problem, said Dr Sunthorn Horpappan, a paediatrician with the institute.

On average, the rate of low-weight births at the two medical facilities is about 13 per cent, compared to only 8 or 9 per cent in the past, said Sunthorn, an expert in low-weight births and associated complications.

"In some months, the rate rose considerably to even 15 per cent," he said.

Premature births and mother's diseases, including high blood pressure, have largely contributed to this rising problem, said Sunthorn.

Many cases of premature births stemmed from unsuccessful illegal abortions, where conditions such as hypertension resulted in insufficient blood flow to feed the baby in the womb.

The number of mothers aged between 13 and 15 is significantly increasing in association with the rise in low birth weight, said Sunthorn.

August and September are the months with the highest rates of low birth weight.

Low birth weight is defined as weighing 2.5 kilograms or lower. A baby weighing one kilogram or lower needs to be cared for in a paediatric intensive care unit.

Low birth weight leads to various complications and could result in disability or death, said Public Health Minister Dr Mongkol na Songkhla.

At the very least, he said, the condition could affect the child in some way, ranging from development delays and low IQ to weak health.

 Arthit Khwankhom

 The Nation