Sage-Tips

What are the risk factors for low birth weight babies?

Are you at risk of having a low-birthweight baby?

• Preterm labor.
• Chronic health conditions.
• Taking certain medicines to treat health conditions, such as high blood pressure, epilepsy and blood clots.
• Infections.
• Problems with the placenta.
• Not gaining enough weight during pregnancy.

What is a strong risk factor for low birth weight?

There are many risk factors for LBW including poor maternal nutrition and lifestyle factors (alcohol, tobacco use, drug abuse), pregnancy complications such as hypertension, low socio-economic conditions, maternal age, maternal body composition and parity [1, 3].

What is the major factor in low birth weight?

What causes low birthweight? The primary cause is premature birth, being born before 37 weeks gestation; a baby born early has less time in the mother’s uterus to grow and gain weight, and much of a fetus’ weight is gained during the latter part of the mother’s pregnancy.

What is the major reason why very low birth weight babies are in grave danger?

The main cause of very low birth weight is being born too early, called premature birth. Treatment for very low birth weight babies includes care in the NICU, temperature-controlled beds, and special feedings. In general, the lower the baby’s birth weight, the greater the risks for complications.

What happens if baby is less weight during pregnancy?

Low-birth-weight babies often have problems. The baby’s tiny body is not as strong as a baby of normal birth weight. They may have a harder time eating, gaining weight, and fighting infection. Low-birth-weight babies often have a hard time staying warm because they don’t have much fat on their bodies.

Why is low birth weight a problem?

A baby with low birthweight may be at increased risk for complications. The baby’s tiny body is not as strong and he or she may have a harder time eating, gaining weight, and fighting infection. Because they have so little body fat, low birthweight babies often have difficulty staying warm in normal temperatures.

Why is very low birth weight important?

Low birthweight is a major determinant of infant mortality. Most infant deaths occur in the first month of life, or neonatal period. The majority of these deaths are a consequence of inadequate fetal growth as indicated by low birthweight (birthweight of 2,500 grams or less).

How can I increase my low birth weight baby?

How to Increase Baby Weight?

1. Breastfeed the baby for healthy growth.
2. Get regular development and growth checks.
3. Keeping track of the baby’s weight gain and nutritional needs as it grows older.
4. Follow the doctor’s advice on the immunization schedule.

How can I get my newborn to gain weight?

If your baby’s doctor thinks it’s necessary, you may have to supplement your baby with additional feedings of either pumped breast milk or infant formula. You can also try to pump and separate your foremilk from your hindmilk. Hindmilk is higher in fat and calories, which can help your baby gain more weight.

Do low birth weight babies feed more?

Small babies have a very limited stomach capacity. This problem can be approached with changes in schedule to provide smaller, more frequent feedings or concentration of formula or breast milk.

What are the causes of low birth weight baby?

Low Birth Weight Baby Risks, Types, and Causes 1 Three Types of Low Birth Weight Baby. Whether your baby was born premature or at term,… 2 Causes. Babies are born small for 2 main reasons: they were born early or they were born on time… 3 How Low Birth Weight Affects You and Your Baby. 4 Watching for Complications. While you cannot control…

Can a baby be born with a low birth rate?

However, family members of a low birth rate baby need to be extra vigilant to ensure the child stays healthy. Whether your baby was born premature or at term, they can be classified as LBW. Low birth weight (LBW): A LBW baby weighs less than 2500 grams, or 5 lbs 5 oz.

What is the normal birth weight for a premature baby?

Whether your baby was born premature or at term, they can be classified as LBW. Low birth weight (LBW): A LBW baby weighs less than 2500 grams, or 5 lbs 5 oz. Very low birth weight (VLBW): A VLBW baby weighs less than 1500 grams, or about 3 lb 9 oz.

Is low birth weight associated with maternal risk factors in Indonesia?

Low birth weight (LBW) is a major risk factor for death and disease in the fetus and newborn infant. However, the study about LBW and maternal risk factors involved in Indonesia is still limited.