Low birth weight in babies is mainly caused due to premature birth. A baby is considered to have low birth weight when they weigh less than five pounds at birth, but it does not necessarily mean that your baby is unhealthy. Some babies born with lesser than normal weight are as healthy as other babies born with a stable weight. However, in some cases, these babies might be prone to serious deficiency diseases. Keep reading this post to know more about the reasons for low birth weight in newborns and ways to take care of them.
What Is Low Birth Weight?
Babies who are born weighing less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) are said to have low birth weight. The average weight of a baby at birth is around eight pounds. If babies are born between 37 to 42 weeks but weigh less, they are considered as low birth weight for a full term. Low birth weight babies appear smaller than normal healthy birth weight babies and their head appears bigger than the rest of the body. The term extremely low birth weight (ELBW) is used to describe babies born with weight less than 1,000 grams (2 pounds, 3 ounces). Usually, ELBW infants are born around 27 weeks of gestation or younger. They are known to be the youngest of premature new-borns. Very low birth weight (VLBW) is used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 1,500 grams. The VLBW and ELBW conditions can happen to babies who are born prematurely (1). According to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH) at Stanford University, about eight percent of babies born in the US are known to have low birth weight. This figure is much higher in developing countries and is rising (2). But, why do babies have low birth weight?
What Are The Causes Of Low Birth Weight In Babies?
Reasons for low birth weight could be many ranging from heredity to your health condition and diet habits during pregnancy:
1. Premature birth:
A newborn is said to be premature when born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. A baby gains more weight in the later part of pregnancy. Therefore, babies born early will have less time to grow and develop in the mother’s womb. This is why premature babies weigh less or cannot gain an average weight (3).
2. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR):
Babies born with intrauterine growth restriction are either small for gestational age (weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age). They are born full-term and still have a low birth weight which may be due to lifestyle or genetic factors (4).
3. Multiple pregnancies:
If you are carrying more than one baby, i.e., twins, triplets, or more, the individual weight of each baby could be below 2,500 grams. It is because the babies compete for nutrients, thereby putting excess strain on the mother (5).
4. High blood pressure:
If you have high BP, the blood flow to the baby from the placenta is interrupted, resulting in lower birth weight of the baby (6).
5. Intake of drugs or alcohol:
Consumption of nicotine, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy will affect the growth of the baby and thus impact her weight. These substances release harmful chemicals in the placenta which alter the oxygen supply to the growing baby and therefore inhibit her growth and development (7).
6. Placental issues:
If you have any placenta-related problems like placenta previa (placenta lies unusually low in your uterus covering your cervix) or pre-eclampsia (pregnancy complication of high blood pressure and kidney damage), they affect the flow of blood and nutrients to the fetus, therefore, leading to low birth weight (8).
7. Abnormalities of the uterus:
Fibroids and uterine malfunctions would restrict the growth of the baby in the uterus (9).
8. Diabetes:
Diabetes is usually associated with a big baby, but it also results in preterm labor in some cases which will affect the baby’s weight (10).
9. Abnormalities of the cervix:
Cervix abnormalities can stimulate a premature birth as it is under pressure to open up. It will, therefore, cause low birth weight in babies. However, doctors may treat this condition by putting a stitch called cerclage, and you are suggested to take complete bed rest (11).
10. Infections that develop during pregnancy:
It is quite common for you to contract infections during pregnancy. These diseases and drugs to treat them will have a significant effect on the baby’s birth weight (12).
11. Prior history:
If you have had a low birth delivery or pre-term delivery earlier, the chances for another low birth weight delivery are high (13).
12. Improper diet:
If you have not gained the required weight during pregnancy due to imbalanced diet or malnutrition, there is a chance of low birth weight baby. A growing baby needs sufficient nutrients to develop, and your food plays a prominent role (14). With careful nurturing and breast milk, some babies cover the shortfall in the first few months. However, for a few mothers their baby’s low weight continues to be a worry as it could have long-term effects.
Effects Of Low Birth Weight On Child Development
The effects vary from baby to baby and also depend on the cause of low birth weight. Some of the problems are (15):
Breathing difficulties such as infant respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
High risk of infections.
Problems with feeding and weight gain.
Low blood sugars (hypoglycemia).
Increased red blood cell count which can make the blood thick.
Inability to stay warm.
Inadequate oxygen levels at birth.
Gastrointestinal problems such as necrotizing enterocolitis (intestinal disease).
Neurological issues, including intraventricular hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)
SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome),
Studies show that babies with a low weight may have lower intelligence quotient (IQ), perform poorly in academics and show behavioral problems. The lower the weight, the more pronounced are the problems (16). Also, the child’s development or emotional effects will depend on:
The cause of the baby’s low birth weight.
The pregnancy stage at which the growth restriction occurred.
Low birth weight babies require special care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until they gain weight and become healthy. Babies with too low a birth weight, around 500 grams, have fewer chances of survival (17). Low birth weight could sometimes be unavoidable. But if you know about the situation when the baby is in your womb, you will be able to take corrective measures. Certain tests during pregnancy can help you with it.
Diagnosis Of Low Birth Weight During Pregnancy
Doctors use various methods to estimate the weight of the fetus. Once you know about the low growth of your baby, you may want to change your lifestyle, food habits, take nutritious diet and do everything possible to correct the anomalies.
How Can You Prevent Low Birth Weight
The survival rate of low birth babies is increasing mostly due to the advancement in the care of premature and weak babies. However, prevention of low birth weight can be done by taking the following steps:
1. Begin prenatal care early:
Prenatal care is one of the best ways to avoid low birth weight babies and pre-term deliveries. It detects any medical illnesses such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, which affect the fetus growth. During a prenatal visit, the doctor monitors your weight gain, blood pressure, baby’s growth and fetal heart beat.
2. Healthy weight gain and nutrition:
Have a healthy and nutritious diet particularly in the beginning of your pregnancy. Increase intake of foods rich in folic acid, such as whole grains, fruits, and veggies. It helps in increasing the birth weight of the baby and makes you stay healthy.
3. Changes in lifestyle:
Drinking and smoking increase the chances of having a baby with low birth weight. Stop drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and taking drugs. Have enough sleep and minimize stress for helping the fetus grow.
4. Keep the medical conditions under control:
You are more likely to have a baby with low birth weight due to high blood pressure or diabetes. Therefore, try to keep these pre-existing illnesses under control so as to minimize the risk. If you have a low birth baby in spite of your efforts during pregnancy, you can continue with your good work after the baby is born! This time, however, there will be a change in the measures you take.
What You Can Do To Help Your Baby Overcome Low Birth Weight
Stop worrying about your baby’s weight and instead, be proactive. Remember that these measures are helpful if the baby has manageable low weight. But if the weight is too low to follow any home measures, your baby would need treatment at the hospital.
Treatment For Low Birth Weight In Babies
The usual treatment methods for low birth weight babies include:
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Temperature regulated beds.
Special feedings, wherein the baby gets his feed through a tube directly into his stomach, if he is unable to suck. It may also include an intravenous (IV) line.
Specific treatment management will depend on:
Your child’s gestational age, complete health condition, and medical history.
His tolerance for certain medications, therapies, and procedures.
