Low Birth Weight
Birth weight is the first weight of the newborn obtained after birth. A baby is considered
low birth-weight when its weight is less than 5.5 lbs (2500 grams) at birth.
A low-birth-weight baby can be born too small, too early, or both. These conditions often have separate causes. Specific factors may be related to one of these conditions but not the other. For example, smoking during pregnancy has been found to be more related to babies born too small than born too early. It is more helpful to look at these conditions of low birth weight separately rather than just the larger category of low birth weight babies.
Compared to babies of normal weight, low-birth-weight babies may be at increased risk for illness from 28 weeks of gestation through the first six days of the baby's life, infections, and the longer-term consequences of impaired development, such as delayed physical and social development or learning disabilities.
A low-birth-weight baby can be born too small, too early, or both. These conditions often have separate causes. Specific factors may be related to one of these conditions but not the other. For example, smoking during pregnancy has been found to be more related to babies born too small than born too early. It is more helpful to look at these conditions of low birth weight separately rather than just the larger category of low birth weight babies.
Compared to babies of normal weight, low-birth-weight babies may be at increased risk for illness from 28 weeks of gestation through the first six days of the baby's life, infections, and the longer-term consequences of impaired development, such as delayed physical and social development or learning disabilities.
Low birthweight increases the risk for infant mortality and morbidity. As birthweight decreases,
the risk for death increases. Low birthweight infants who survive often require intensive care
at birth, may develop chronic illnesses, and later may require special education services. Health
care costs and length of hospital stay are higher for low birthweight infants.
Low Birth Weight is associated with a number of exposure risk factors
- Maternal smoking.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Inadequate weight gain/diet during pregnancy.
- Exposure to air pollution (both indoor and outdoor).
- Exposure to drinking water contaminated with chemical disinfection by-products or lead.
Early and continuous prenatal care helps identify conditions and behavior that can result in low birth
weight babies, such as smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, inadequate weight gain during pregnancy, and
repeat pregnancy in six months or less.
There are some steps a woman can take to reduce her risk of having a low-birth-weight baby.
There are some steps a woman can take to reduce her risk of having a low-birth-weight baby.
- Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke, www.quitnownm.com (external Web site).
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- See your health care provider for a medical check-up before pregnancy.
- Work with your health care provider to control diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Get prenatal care early, as soon as you think you may be pregnant, and throughout the pregnancy.
- Discuss concerns during pregnancy with your health care provider, and seek medical attention for any warning signs or symptoms of preterm labor.
- Take a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid, starting before and throughout pregnancy.
- Learn about the quality of the water you drink.
- Learn about the quality of the air you breathe.
- Learn about the quality of the food you eat.
Low Birth Weight Queries by County and Health Region
- Growth Retardation: Percent of Low Birthweight (less than 2500 grams) Live, Term, Singleton Births
- Percentage of Very Low Birthweight (less than 1500 grams) Live, Singleton Births
