Low birth weight (LBW) refers to neonates who are born too small. Low birthweight implies reduced foetal growth prior to delivery either through shortened gestation, growth retardation, or both. Low birthweight is not a direct clinical cause of neonatal mortality per se as it can reflect a variety of specific pathophysiologic problems. Rather, low birthweight is merely a useful indicator of problem pregnancies and the risk of mortality during the neonatal period. WHO defines LBW as a birth weight of an infant of 2,499 g or less, regardless of gestational age. The low weight of a neonate may be due to either prematurity (preterm birth) or intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR)/small for gestation (birthweight below the 10th percentile for gestational age) or both. Mechanisms and risk factors for preterm and for LBW babies may differ despite a substantial proportion of LBW being contributed by preterm births as LBW infants are also a result of intrauterine growth restriction.
Author(s) Details:
Kimera Lukanga Charles,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Namibia, Namibia.
Linda N. Lukolo,
Department of Community and Family, Medicine School of Medicine, University of Namibia, Namibia.
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