A Low Birth Weight baby weighs less than 2,500 grams, or 5 lbs. 8 ounces
A Very Low Birth Weight baby weighs 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 serious 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 Risk 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