Define Low Birth Weight (LBW) baby & explain types of LBW.
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Define Low Birth Weight (LBW) baby & explain types of LBW.
A Low Birth Weight (LBW) baby is defined as an infant born weighing less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds) regardless of gestational age. LBW infants may be born prematurely (before 37 weeks of gestation) or full-term (37 weeks or later) but are smaller in size compared to infants of similar gestational age. LBW is a significant public health concern as it increases the risk of neonatal mortality, morbidity, and long-term health problems.
There are two main types of LBW:
Preterm LBW: Preterm LBW infants are born before 37 weeks of gestation, often due to premature labor, preterm rupture of membranes, or medical interventions such as induction of labor or cesarean delivery. These infants may have incomplete development of organs and systems, increasing their vulnerability to complications such as respiratory distress syndrome, infections, and neurological deficits.
Small for Gestational Age (SGA): SGA infants are born at or after 37 weeks of gestation but have a birth weight below the 10th percentile for their gestational age. SGA may result from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), where the fetus fails to reach its growth potential due to maternal factors such as poor nutrition, maternal illness, placental insufficiency, or genetic factors. SGA infants may be constitutionally small but otherwise healthy or may experience complications related to growth restriction, such as hypoglycemia, hypothermia, and developmental delays.