Despite the general recognition that low birth weight can be caused by many factors,
confusion and controversy remain about which factors have independent causal effects, as
well as the quantitative importance of those effects. Previous research findings have often
been conflicting because of a failure to distinguish intrauterine growth retardation from
prematurity, differences in focus (means v rates), inadequate control for confounding
variables, and insufficient statistical power. This review of the English and French language …