It is strongly linked to infant deaths and is used by health experts as an indicator of poverty.

Now it has emerged that parts of Kirklees have some of the highest rates of low birth weight babies in England.

The area, which includes Mirfield and Dewsbury, had the fourth highest prevalence of low birth weight babies in 2014, according to official statistics.

Approximately one in 20 (4.7%) babies born in North Kirklees last year weighed less than the benchmark 2.5kg (5lb 8oz) amount.

Worst in England was Walsall, West Midlands (5.8%); followed by central Bradford (5.3%) and Tower Hamlets, London (5%).

The areas with the lowest rates of babies born under 2.5kg were Ashford, Kent (1.3%), Lewes, East Sussex (1.4%) and Bath, Somerset (1.6%).

Low birth weight (LBW) is linked to infant mortality with approximately two-thirds of infant deaths occurring among children born below 2.5kg.

LBW is often used as an indicator of poverty and is related to poor maternal health including smoking while pregnant.

A mum-to-be is three-and-a-half times more likely to give birth to a LBW baby if she smokes.

However, one in nine expectant mums in Kirklees and Calderdale smoked until the time of their child’s birth during the first quarter of 2015/16.

Kirklees Council and North Kirklees CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group), which runs NHS services in the area, said it was targeting woman and mums-to-be who were likely to be affected.

A spokesperson said: “A number of factors can contribute to low birth weight and helping women to improve their health and lifestyle, both preconception and during pregnancy is important.

Auntie Pam’s is an award winning Kirklees-wide service for mums-to-be and new mums, designed with them, and provided by Kirklees Council.

Project Officer Lisa Akester at Auntie Pam's in Dewsbury.

“It aims to improve the health and wellbeing of women and their babies.

“Auntie Pam’s volunteers, who are all mums themselves, provide one-to-one peer support offering information and help. It has links with supporting services, within and outside the council and the NHS.

“Smoking rates in Kirklees have been dropping over the last few years, including among pregnant smokers, but there is more to do.

“The council has commissioned a Smokefree Service that focuses on key target groups, including pregnant women, and is working with health services for pregnant women to improve referral pathways into the service.

“We are also working in partnership with the voluntary and community sector, health commissioners and Mid Yorkshire midwifery services to develop a new social marketing and behaviour change campaign to support the reduction of smoking in pregnancy.”

Auntie Pam's Advice for Mums-to-be
Auntie Pam's Advice for Mums-to-be