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Low birth weight is defined as an infant being born at or below 2,500 grams (about 5.5 pounds). Babies weighing less than 5.5 pounds at birth are more likely to experience both physical and developmental problems than babies weighing more than 5.5 pounds at birth. Low birth weight babies may experience long-term physical problems such as an increased risk of adult-onset diabetes and coronary heart disease. Developmental delays and problems causing the child to be placed in special education in school may also occur. At highest risk are babies weighing less than 3.3 pounds. Risk factors associated with low birth weight include poor prenatal habits, in particular tobacco or alcohol use during pregnancy, low maternal weight gain, low maternal weight before pregnancy, and multiple births. African-American women, teenage mothers, and mothers living in poverty are at a greater risk of experiencing low weight births. Despite being a small fraction of all births, low weight infants account for more than one-third of all dollars spent on health care for infants. |
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