Child poverty is not only an economic or political problem.

Child poverty is not only an economic or political problem. 

Babies born with a low birth weight are at increased risk of dying in the first year of life. As a group, they have higher rates of rehospitalization, below-normal growth, childhood illnesses, neurological problems, developmental problems and health-related limitations.

Differences in birth outcomes by income level may be due to a range of factors, depending on the specific outcome in question. Behavioural and lifestyle factors, such as poor maternal nutrition and health practices, along with lack of timely prenatal care, are just a few of the possible determinants of birth outcomes, but many questions involving the roles of other variables remain unanswered.