Low Birth Weight

Birth rate is the body weight of a baby at its birth, and low birth rate is the weight of an infant of less than 5 pounds. The primary cause of low birth rate is premature birth that is being born before 37 weeks gestation; a baby born early has less time in the mother's uterus to grow and gain weight, and much of a fetus's weight is gained during the latter part of the mother's pregnancy. So the basic cause of low birth weight is premature birth. At birth, the average newborn weighs approximately seven pounds; meanwhile, a low birth weight baby weighs less than five and a eight ounces (March of Dimes Foundation, 2011). Today, low birth weight typically occurs in newborns born before thirty-seven weeks gestation or in full-term deliveries where the baby is under-weight, also known as intrauterine growth restriction. Many, but not all, preterm infants are also low birth weight, and vice versa. In 2010, infants born preterm accounted for two-thirds of all low birth weight infants, and over 40 percent of preterm births were low birth weight. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/health1.asp).
Many of the premature and low birth weight babies lack enough body fat to uphold a normal body temperature, and have medical problems. Some of the medical problems that infants with low birth weight have are that they have the risk of developing breath problems such as the respiration distress syndrome. Also these infants with low birth weight have bleeding in the head, dangerous heart problems such as the hole in the heart. Complications associated with a low birth weight may include vision, hearing, and learning disabilities. Poor health, drug and alcohol use, and tobacco exposure will increase the probability that a woman will give birth to an under-weight baby (Discovery Communications, 2011).
A woman’s overall health and wellness, during pregnancy, is important to the development of her growing fetus. Chronic health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, increased stress levels, and insufficient rest can significantly reduce the baby’s weight (Discovery Communications, 2011, p.3). In addition, a balanced diet rich in nutrients is essential to a healthy weight gain in the mother and baby. According to the March of Dimes (2011), pregnant women should receive prenatal care and work closely with a health care provider to manage chronic health conditions.
The use of illicit and prescription drugs has been associated with growth restriction, premature delivery, and multiple congenital anomalies (as cited in Berger, 2010, p.74). A pregnant woman should seek medical consent, before taking any medication, to assess the potential