Rapid responses are electronic comments to the editor. They enable our users
to debate issues raised in articles published on bmj.com. A rapid response
is first posted online. If you need the URL (web address) of an individual
response, simply click on the response headline and copy the URL from the
browser window. A proportion of responses will, after editing, be published
online and in the print journal as letters, which are indexed in PubMed.
Rapid responses are not indexed in PubMed and they are not journal articles.
The BMJ reserves the right to remove responses which are being
wilfully misrepresented as published articles or when it is brought to our
attention that a response spreads misinformation.
From March 2022, the word limit for rapid responses will be 600 words not
including references and author details. We will no longer post responses
that exceed this limit.
The word limit for letters selected from posted responses remains 300 words.
I am not aware of any carefully performed studies that suggest that
adequate prenatal care as defined by professional association of American
obstetricians reduces the rate of low birthweight in the US. I am aware
of several carefully conducted analyses that suggest that it has no effect
at all on low birthweight.
Prenatal care and low birthweight
I am not aware of any carefully performed studies that suggest that
adequate prenatal care as defined by professional association of American
obstetricians reduces the rate of low birthweight in the US. I am aware
of several carefully conducted analyses that suggest that it has no effect
at all on low birthweight.
Competing interests: No competing interests