Low birthweight spells problems for babies

Some low birthweight babies are tiny enough to rest in the palm of your hand. Others are closer to regular size and thus have a better chance of survival and good health.

But any baby who is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces is considered low birthweight. These babies can have serious health problems as newborns and are at risk for medical and developmental problems as they grow older. Problems can include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, difficulty breathing, and sight and vision impairments.

The good news is that care of these babies has improved dramatically over the last decade. More of them are surviving, and the number with disabilities is being reduced. Sometimes it is unknown why a particular baby is born with low birthweight. Or it may be that the mother has a health problem or disease that affects the baby's weight. However, it is true that the mother's behavior before and during pregnancy can affect birth weight.

There are two types of low birthweight babies:

If a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy, the chances are greater that it will be born with low birth weight and at greater risk for problems.

Some full-term babies are "growth retarded," which means they have low birthweight because growth in the womb slowed or stopped.

What causes low birthweight?

Not all causes of low birthweight are known. Some known causes include multiple births, inherited diseases, environmental factors, problems with the placenta, medical problems in the mother (kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and others).

Sometimes low birthweight can be prevented

Here are some things you can do to help prevent low birthweight:

Keep all of your prenatal care appointments. See your doctor if you are even thinking of becoming pregnant. If you are already pregnant, get early and regular prenatal care.

Take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

Eat a balanced diet.

Gain enough weight. The standard recommendation is that a woman of normal weight should gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy.

Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke.

Avoid drinking alcohol, using street drugs, prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs not prescribed by a doctor who knows you are pregnant.

Low birthweight babies face many problems

One of the most common is the risk of breathing problems. About 40,000 babies a year, most of whom were born before the 34th week of pregnancy, suffers from respiratory distress syndrome, according to the March of Dimes. This is a leading cause of death and disability among premature babies. Low birthweight babies can also have trouble regulating their body temperature. Bleeding in the brain happens in about one-third of very low-birth-weight babies. These little ones can also have heart or eye problems, anemia and intestinal inflammation.

Treatment advances are improving babies' chances

Fortunately, care of low birthweight babies is constantly improving. Breathing problems are treated with medication that goes right to the lungs and helps the babies breathe more easily. Babies with jaundice can be treated with special lights. Anemia is treated with iron supplements and blood transfusions. Incubators help regulate body temperature. Surgery and medications may help the baby gain health.

Date last reviewed: October 2002.

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