An infants birth weight is considered low if it is less than ________ pounds.
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Birth weight is the first weight of your baby, taken just after being born. A low birth weight means that the baby is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. A high birth weight means that the baby is more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces. Show
What can cause low birth weight?A baby with a low birth weight can be born too small, too early (premature), or both. This can happen for many different reasons. They include:
What problems can low birth weight cause?Babies with low birth weight may be more at risk of certain health problems. They include immediate problems, such as:
There is also a higher risk of longer-term problems, including:
What can cause high birth weight?Causes of high birth weight can include:
What problems can high birth weight cause?High birth weight can be a concern because it can make delivery of the baby difficult and raise the risk of birth injuries. The baby is at higher risk of problems with:
Can birth weight problems be prevented?You may be able to prevent some birth weight problems by:
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National Institutes of HealthThe primary NIH organization for research on Birth Weight is the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Other LanguagesFind health information in languages other than English on Birth Weight DisclaimersMedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines. Is 6 lbs considered low birth weight?A birthweight less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) is diagnosed as low birthweight. Babies weighing less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 5 ounces) at birth are considered very low birthweight.
What is normal low birth weight?'Low birth weight' (LBW) has been defined as first weight recorded within hours of birth of <2500 g. Very low birth weight (VLBW) is accepted as <1500 g and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) is <1000 g [1].
Is 5.5 pounds a small baby?A low birth weight means that the baby is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. A high birth weight means that the baby is more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
Is 6 lbs too small for a newborn?Low birth weight is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams). An average newborn usually weighs about 8 pounds. A low-birth-weight baby may be healthy even though he or she is small. But a low-birth-weight baby can also have many serious health problems.
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