site site.xsl site
section indicator.xsl indicator
Indicator Category:
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page indicator.xsl view_childhealth_lbw
Low birth weight refers to infants who weigh less than 5.5 pounds at birth. Most normal babies weigh 5.5 pounds by 37 weeks of gestation. Intrauterine growth restriction refers to delayed growth within the uterus, which then leads to low birth weight. Several factors can cause delayed growth of a fetus. Babies with congenital anomalies or chromosomal abnormalities are often associated with low birth weights. Sometimes problems with the placenta can prevent it from providing adequate oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Infections during pregnancy that affect the fetus, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and syphilis, may also affect the baby's birth weight. Risk factors in the mother that may contribute to low birth weight include multiple pregnancies, previous low birth-weight infants, poor nutrition, heart disease or hypertension, smoking, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, lead exposure, and insufficient prenatal care. Low birth weight is more common in first-time pregnancies and among pregnant women under the age of 17 and over the age of 35.
In Erie County, our percent of low birth weight slightly exceeds the state, and the City of Erie is higher still. African American and Hispanic percents are above the City and County rates. It is important to pay special attention to these race and ethnic disparities, and encourage adequate prenatal care from the onset of every pregnancy. We should continue to strive to meet the Healthy People 2010 goal, which is 4.5 per 1,000.
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