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What is Low Birth Weight?
Babies born under 2.5kg (5.5 pounds) are considered
low birth weight (LBW) babies.
A healthy birth weight is very important for a good start in life. Low birth weight babies are at a high risk of experiencing health and developmental problems. They are born either preterm (less than 37 completed weeks of gestation) or small for gestational age (SGA - less than 10th percentile for gestational age) or both. When a mother is healthy, she is more likely to have a healthy baby.
Low Birth Weight Changes Everything.
- LBW babies can have life-long health problems
- LBW is the main reason babies die in the first year of life
- In Canada, approximately 6% of all births are LBW babies. The costs to care for the immediate needs of theses babies, and to provide the long-term care and special attention that some will need throughout life are extremely high
| Take the time to browse this web site to find out more facts about low birth weight, and how it can be prevented. You can also call the City of Ottawa Public Health Info Line (PHIL) at 724-4179 or your local health unit and talk to your health care provider. LBW is an issue for all members of our community! |
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What is Low Birth Weight?
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