A baby’s birth weight is one of the most important factors that can determine the health of the baby as they grow. A newborn baby’s weight is considered to be low birth weight if it is below 2.5 kg. Similarly, high birth weight is not safe either. Come, let’s take a closer look at the causes and treatment for low birth weight in babies.
When a newborn baby weighs less than 2500 gms, it is known as low birth weight. A baby with low birth weight can be healthy and pass all preliminary tests despite the low birth weight or have certain issues due to the low weight.
Low birth weight is not rare. Many babies are born with low birth weight. The chances of low birth weight are higher in multiple births – when the mother delivers more than one baby in a pregnancy.
These low birth weight babies look much smaller than the average baby. In many cases, the head may be larger than the body, making the baby look disproportionate. Such babies will need immediate care or treatment to ensure they survive and become healthy.
Low birth weight can be due to any of the following reasons:
● Premature birth
● Intrauterine growth restriction
● Multiple births
● Mother has health complications
● Mother had a severe case of morning sickness, that prevented her from eating healthy or retaining most of the food.
● Issues with the placenta
● The baby had issues during the pregnancy
When a baby is born with a low birth weight, the following complications can arise:
● The baby can have Intrauterine Growth Restriction – they can be small in size and weak.
● Low oxygen levels at birth.
● Respiratory issues, neurological problems, or gastrointestinal issues.
● Higher risk of infections as the body may not be strong enough to fight infections.
● May have very little body fat, thus making them feel cold easily.
● Have a hard time gaining weight as they grow up.
● In rare cases, if the baby is born too early or weighs very little, it can lead to SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Low birth weight is not a rare complication but does not affect all babies. Some babies are at a higher risk of low birth weight than other babies. Some risk factors are:
● Ethnicity or race
● Mother does not gain enough weight or loses too much weight during pregnancy
● Mother suffers from some infection during pregnancy
● History of low birth weights in previous pregnancies
● Smoking, alcohol or drug abuse
● Mother is too young – less than 17 years old
● Mother is too old – above 35 years of age
● Mother has health issues that can affect fetal growth.
Some tell-tale symptoms of low birth weight are:
● Baby appears smaller than gestational age in the scans or after birth
● Mother suffers from severe health issues that make her weak
● Mother loses a lot of weight due to morning sickness or other issues
● The expecting mother is unable to eat much or on time due to food aversions, allergies, or other sensitivities.
● Approximate fetal weight in the scans is less than average.
During pregnancy, the routine scans will measure fetal weight to ensure the baby is gaining weight as per expectations. These measurements are not very accurate and can be a little more or less than the number given. The fetal height is also measured during these scans. If the height is not age-appropriate, there is a strong chance of the baby suffering from IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) which can lead to low birth weight.
During these scans, if the baby’s weight is too low, the doctor will advise the expecting mother on diet changes and taking supplements or hormone injections to increase the growth and weight of the baby. This will vary from case to case, so you should talk to your doctor before deciding anything.
It is a general practice to weigh the baby right after birth. If the weight is below 2500 grams, then the baby is diagnosed with low birth weight. If the baby weighs less than 1500 grams, then a very low birth weight diagnosis is given.
Whether the baby presents any symptoms or not, in the case of a low birth weight baby, the following care is usually a part of the protocol:
● Close observation for a few hours in the NICU
● Temperature-controlled beds, if the hospital has them
● Monitored feedings – timed feedings or use of formula if the baby is unable to suck or the mother is not lactating yet
● Feeding through a tube into the stomach or through an intravenous line in severe cases
● Regular monitoring of blood glucose if the baby had low sugar at birth
Low birth weight treatment can vary from baby to baby and doctor to doctor, as it is very subjective. The doctor will decide on the treatment depending on the baby's symptoms. The treatment will depend on:
● The baby’s gestational age – whether it is a full-term baby or a premature baby.
● The baby’s tolerance level towards medications, procedures, and therapies. If the baby is unable to tolerate much, the treatment can be slower.
● The parents’ preference. Some parents may want to try everything possible to get the baby into the right weight range, while some parents may not want to do much unless necessary.
So, can you prevent low birth weight? In case of a premature birth due to some sudden complications, low birth weight cannot be prevented. Here are some precautions one can take to avoid low birth weight:
● Never miss prenatal check-ups. The doctor monitors the baby closely and can assess the baby’s growth and weight in these check-ups.
● Follow a nutritious diet and take good care of her health during pregnancy
● Avoid fasting, bad food habits, and erratic meal timings during pregnancy
● Avoid use of cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs
When your baby is diagnosed with low birth weight, what can you do next? Here are some tips:
● Keep a close watch on the baby to identify respiratory, feeding, or other issues at the earliest.
● Feed the baby at regular timed intervals as they need more milk than other babies.
● Give a top-up using a formula if breastmilk doesn’t suffice. Talk to your lactation consultant regarding this.
● Don’t ignore or take an infection’s symptoms lightly.
● Have emergency medicines on hand at all times.
● As the baby grows, ensure they follow a healthy lifestyle and a nutritious diet.
Low birth weight is a complication that may or may not cause issues. Keeping a close watch on the baby and following the doctor’s orders can help to a great extent. With close monitoring and timely care, low birth weight babies grow to become healthy individuals on par with other children their age.
Babies with low birth weight are kept under observation at the NICU and closely monitored during feeds. They may also be kept on temperature-controlled beds and given special feeding if the baby is unable to breastfeed naturally. The baby’s weight is checked repeatedly.
Low birth weight can be prevented by not missing prenatal check-ups, following a healthy pregnancy diet, and checking the pregnancy ultrasounds and scans closely.
Low birth weight in babies can happen due to various reasons like – ethnicity, race, preterm delivery, health issues affecting the mother or the baby, or if the mother is too young or too old.
Regular breastfeeding and using a formula top-up if needed can increase a baby's weight. Massage the baby to stimulate growth and follow a healthy diet. What the breastfeeding mother eats can affect the baby’s weight gain and growth.
