BIRTH WEIGHT

BIRTH WEIGHT

1. DEFINITION

   • NORMAL BIRTH WEIGHT
     • Infant weighing between 2500g to 4000g irrespective of gestational age
   • LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (LBW)
     • Infant weighing less than 2500g irrespective of gestational age
   • VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (VLBW)
     • Infant weighing less than 1500g irrespective of gestational age
   • EXTREMELY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (ELBW)
     • Infant weighing less than 1000g irrespective of gestational age

2. FACTORS

   • PRIMARY FACTORS
     • PRETERM BIRTH
       • Born early (<37 weeks gestation, and often <30 weeks), less time in the mother’s womb to gain weight. Much of the weight is gained in the later stages of the pregnancy
     • INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION (IUGR)
       • Problems with placenta, maternal health or birth defects
   • MATERNAL FACTORS
     • MATERNAL WEIGHT & BMI
       • <45kg and underweight
     • MATERNAL AGE
       • <20yrs and >35yrs
     • EDUCATION
       • Lack of knowledge on prenatal care, proper diet during pregnancy and effects of maternal behaviour on fetus
     • HISTORY OF LBW
       • Mothers with familial vertical history of LBW or experienced of having LBW infant
     • SOSIOECONOMIC CONDITION
       • Deprived socioeconomic level such as unhygienic environment and improper diet
     • SMOKING, ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE
       • Interrupt the baby’s growth in the womb and increase the risk for premature birth and birth defects
   • PREGNANCY RISK FACTORS
     • SUPPLEMENTATIONS
       • Percentage of LBW babies is higher in mothers who had not taken iron-folic acid (IFA) supplements
     • MULTIPLE PREGNANCY
       • Multiple parity (twin or more) is associated with LBW
     • INTER-PREGNANCY INTERVAL
       • Interval less than 1 year cause mothers unable to recover from the biological stresses from the previous pregnancy
     • MALNUTRITION
       • Proper nutrients are needed for fetus growth, malnourished mothers increase risk of LBW infants
     • MATERNAL INFECTIONS
       • Chronic infections such as UTI, STI, malaria or kidney infection during pregnancy result in direct intrauterine growth leading to LBW

3. CONSEQUENCES

   • SHORT TERM
     • LBW
     • VLBW & ELBW
   • LONG TERM
     • ELBW
     • VLBW
     • LBW
   • = Complications are markedly increased in VLBW, and especially ELBW, infants.
     • The lower a baby's birthweight, the greater are the risks for complications

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