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Low birth Weight - Page 2

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.

Fast Weight Gaining have Negative Consequences on My Baby

August 19, 2018April 5, 2020

Newborn Care/Research Findings

Does Rapid Weight Gain Have Negative Consequences for My Baby?

Some studies have shown that babies who are small for their gestational age have higher cardiovascular health risks than those born with adequate weight and height. Some experts encourage measures that promote postnatal growth in an effort to reduce these effects. However, there is evidence that increasing postnatal nutrition in

Research Findings

The Effect of Exercise on Preterm Babies

Very low birth weight infants have a higher risk for osteopenia (i.e., thin and weak bones). Most preventive therapies focus on nutritional changes, which, unfortunately, have not yielded the best results. However,

Corn Soya Blend Plus: A Nutritional Alternative during Pregnancy

The mother’s nutrition is critical to the development and outcome of pregnancy,

Scientific summaries related to parenting

An Early Dose of Hydrocortisone May Help Premature Babies

Multiple studies have linked the severe symptoms of premature birth with hormonal

Pregnancy and HIV: How Does It Affect Newborns? Maternal Antiretroviral Drugs during Pregnancy and Infant Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth

July 22, 2018April 5, 2020

Maternity/Research Findings

The management of HIV infection has completely transformed. HIV is now considered a chronic, controllable disease instead of a lethal illness. As a result, a large number of HIV-positive women are deciding

Corn Soya Blend Plus: A Nutritional Alternative during Pregnancy Prenatal Supplementation with Corn Soya Blend Plus Reduces the Risk of Maternal Anemia in Late Gestation and Lowers the Rate of Preterm Birth but Does Not Significantly Improve Maternal Weight Gain and Birth Anthropometric Measurements in Rural Cambodian Women: A Randomized Trial

July 19, 2018April 13, 2020

Research Findings

The mother’s nutrition is critical to the development and outcome of pregnancy, affecting not only the size of the child at birth but also the duration of the pregnancy. When mothers are