Low birth weight occurs when a child’s total weight immediately after delivery is below 5 pounds and 5 ounces. Normal birth weight ranges from 5.5 to 8.8 pounds. Low birth weight can be caused by several factors, including preterm birth, where the child is born earlier than the estimated due date (usually less than 37 weeks). If an infant has a slow prenatal growth rate, it could result in low birth weight. A mother’s lifestyle during pregnancy can also cause low birth weight. For instance, if the mother used or was exposed to tobacco smoke or consumed alcohol during pregnancy, her baby could have a low birth weight. Some conditions also restrict the growth of the baby while it is in the uterus, such as in cases of intrauterine growth restriction, which will result in a low birth weight for the child. Characteristics of low birth weight include small size, weak babies, and physically immature babies. Consequently, low birth weight affects children in many ways. Low birth weight children have very little body fat, which means they have trouble keeping warm, even in normal temperatures. They are also prone to complications, such as infant respiratory distress, gastrointestinal problems, and sudden infant death syndrome. In addition, the babies are prone to infections since their immunity is so low. Frequent checkups during pregnancy can help determine and prevent  any serious conditions. Also, pregnant women should maintain a clean and healthy diet free of alcohol and tobacco to avoid complications like low birth weight. Proper feeding is recommended to help babies gain weight.