HEALTH UPDATE: premature birth, low birthweight raises abuse risk

Infants who are born prematurely and with a low birthweight may be at risk for child abuse, according to new research from a team of UK investigators.
"Lower levels of fetal growth and shorter gestational duration are associated with an increased likelihood of child protection registration in all categories including child sexual abuse," Professor Nick Spencer, of the University of Warwick in Coventry, and co-authors write.
The association between premature birth, low birthweight and child abuse was first reported in the 1970s, but studies have since yielded conflicting results.
The current study is unique in that it examined the association between all categories of child abuse and an infant's fetal growth and age at delivery, the researchers point out.