Low birth weight baby (LBW)

 

Low birth weight is defined as weight of new born less than 2500gm, regardless of gestational age.

Causes:

Premature birth- Born early - Before 37 weeks of pregnancy- premature baby has less time in mother's womb (uterus) to grow and gain weight. Much of the baby's weight is gained during the last week of pregnancy.

Intrauterine growth retardation- 

Baby do not grow well during the pregnancy- due to problem with:

• Placenta
• Mother's health
• Baby's health

Baby can be:

• Full term- Born  on 37-41 week of pregnancy. These babies may be physically mature but small.
• Premature- These babies are both very small and immature.

Risk factors for LBW:

• Infections during pregnancy
• Not gaining enough weight during pregnancy
• Previous pregnancy with the low birth weight baby
• Smoking
• Alcohol or drug use
• Age less than 17 or more than 35

Diagnosis of LBW:

• Mother's weight gain during pregnancy
• Fundal height 
• Ultrasound- more accurate
• Babies are weight under few hours after birth , if baby is less than 2500gm then low birth weight, if baby weight less than 1,500gm then very low birth weight and if less than 1000gm then extremely low birth weight.

Treatment:

• NICU- Newborn intensive care unit
• Temperature controlled bed- low birth weight baby usually suffers from hypothermia, this is the major cause of morbidity and mortality of a baby
• Exclusive breast feeding. If the baby is unable to suck than milk is given through a pipe which is inserted into the stomach or is given through intravenous line.

Prevention of LBW:

Preventing Preterm birth is the best way of preventing LBW babies.

Regular antenatal checkup is the best way of preventing preterm birth and low birth weight babies.

At antenatal visit, the health care will check the health of mother and her child.

It is important to:

• Follow a healthy diet during pregnancy- This will help you to gain enough weight to help your baby grow and help you to stay healthy.
• Not to drink Alcohol , Smoke or use Drugs - all these causes low birth weight and other complications to your baby.

Complications of LBW:

• Low oxygen level at birth
• Hypothermia- major factor of morbidity and mortality of LBW
• Trouble feeding and gaining weight
• Infections
• Breathing problem and immature lungs
• Nervous System problem- eg bleeding inside the brain
• Digestive System problem- such as serious inflammation in the intestine
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Babies with Very Low Birth Weight are at high risk of long term complications and disability-

• Blindness 
• Deafness
• Developmental delay