Low birth weight

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Low birth weight (LBW) is defined by the World Health Organization as a birth weight of an infant of 2,499 g (5 lb 8.1 oz) or less, regardless of gestational age. LBW can be caused from a variety of things such as the infant simply being born at a low gestational weight (ie. preterm), environmental factors, or the health of the infant's mother while pregnant. Low birth weight has been associated with higher rates of maternal discrimination, stress and poor prenatal healthcare access. Infants born with LBW have added health risks which require close management, often in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Management of LBW includes temperature regulation, fluid balance, nutrition and sometimes hematology. They are also at increased risk for long-term health conditions which require follow-up over time. Low birth weight is associated with increased infant death in the weeks following birth as well as neurodevelopmental disorders. It is a global initiative to decrease LBW prevalence, especially in highly affected populations in South Asia and Sub Saharan Africa.