Low Birth Weight is considered to be less than 2,500 grams or 5 lbs. 8 ounces
Very Low Birth Weight is considered to be less than 3 lbs. 5 ounces

Low birth weight accounts for more than 10% of all health care costs for children and often leads to other problems such as developmental delays and learning disabilities.

What Increases the Risk of Low Birth Weight?

• SOCIAL RISK FACTORS
  
  • Poverty
    
  • Single Parent Family
    
  • Teen Parent
    
  • Little or no Prenatal Care
    
  • Domestic Violence
    
  • Stress
    
  • Workplace Conditions
• PERSONAL FACTORS
  
  • Smoking
    
  • Alcohol
    
  • Drug Abuse
    
  • Poor Nutrition
    
  • Underweight
    
  • Obesity
    
  • Maternal Age
    
  • Limited stress relief strategies
    
  • Lack of Support System
    
  • Medical Conditions
    
  • Previous Low Birth weight baby
    
  • Was a low birth weight baby