Birth Weight

Birth weight is a baby’s weight immediately after he or she is delivered. Usually measured in pounds, birth weight has direct implications on the health and well-being of a child. The normal range for birth weight is from 5.5 pounds to 8.8 pounds. If the baby weight is outside the normal range, the child is accordingly considered underweight or overweight. Children with low birth weight are usually much smaller in size compared to normal-weight children. Low birth weight is often a result of premature birth, which could be caused by the mother’s health problems or substance abuse (or both). Such babies may develop infections or long-term problems, such as delayed growth and development. Children born with high birth weight are a lot bigger than normal. High birth weight can be caused by genetics or gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The children may also develop diabetes as they grow. A baby’s weight usually changes over time and can be corrected with help from a prenatal clinic officer.