12 Causes Of Low Birth Weight In Babies: Effects & Treatment

Understanding the causes and risk factors for low birth weight may help prevent it.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shashidhar A, MD, DM Dr. Shashidhar A Dr. Shashidhar AMD, DM MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pediatrics and NeonatologyExperience: 14 years
Written by , BSc Rebecca Malachi BSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pregnancy, Health and WellnessExperience: 12 years
Edited by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , MSc Aneesha Amonz MSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health and WellnessExperience: 2 years
Last Updated on
✔ Research-backed

MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us.

Baby With Low Birth Weight

Image: Shutterstock

Low birth weight in babies is mainly caused due to premature birth. A baby is considered to have low birth weight when they weigh less than five pounds at birth, but it does not necessarily mean that your baby is unhealthy. Some babies born with lesser than normal weight are as healthy as other babies born with a stable weight. However, in some cases, these babies might be prone to serious deficiency diseases. Keep reading this post to know more about the reasons for low birth weight in newborns and ways to take care of them.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • Causes of low birth weight include premature birth, intrauterine growth restriction, multiple pregnancies, high blood pressure, drugs, and alcohol.
  • Low birth weight can cause respiratory, neurological, and gastrointestinal problems and may affect IQ and behavior, requiring special care.
  • Early prenatal care, healthy weight gain and nutrition, lifestyle changes, and controlling medical conditions can prevent low birth weight in babies.
  • To help a low birth weight baby breastfeed, practice kangaroo care, monitor weight gain, visit the doctor, offer a nutritious diet, and be patient.

What Is Low Birth Weight?

Definition of low birth weight in babies

Image: Shutterstock

Babies who are born weighing less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) are said to have low birth weight. The average weight of a baby at birth is around eight pounds. If babies are born between 37 to 42 weeks but weigh less, they are considered as low birth weight for a full term.

Low birth weight infants appear smaller than normal healthy birth weight babies and their head appears bigger than the rest of the body.

The term extremely low birth weight (ELBW) is used to describe babies born with weight less than 1,000 grams (2 pounds, 3 ounces). Usually, ELBW infants are born around 27 weeks of gestation or younger. They are known to be the youngest of premature new-borns.

Very low birth weight (VLBW) is used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 1,500 grams. The VLBW and ELBW conditions can happen to babies who are born prematurely (1).

According to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH) at Stanford University, about eight percent of babies born in the US are known to have low birth weight. This figure is much higher in developing countries and is rising (2). 

Based on data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), there is variation in the number of low birth weight (LBW) newborns across the United States. As the graph below indicates, Mississippi had the highest percentage of LBW babies (11.5%), while Alaska had the lowest.

1xmomjunction placeholder

Proportion of low birth weight newborns in the US (2018)

Source: Percentage of infants with low birth weight in the United States as of 2018, by state*; Statista/NCHS/United Health Foundation

What Are The Causes Of Low Birth Weight In Babies?

Reasons for low birth weight could be many ranging from heredity to your health condition and diet habits during pregnancy:

1. Premature birth:

Premature birth and low birth weight in babies

Image: IStock

A newborn is said to be premature when born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. A baby gains more weight in the later part of pregnancy. Therefore, babies born early will have less time to grow and develop in the mother’s womb. This is why premature babies weigh less or cannot gain an average weight (3).

2. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR):

Babies born with intrauterine growth restriction (also called fetal growth restriction (FGR)) are either small for gestational age or have a low gestational age (weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age). They are born full-term and still have a low birth weight which may be due to lifestyle or genetic factors (4).

Lorraine Lloyd, a mother and enthusiastic blogger shares about her daughter’s IUGR journey, “My daughter’s IUGR was picked up at the 20-week scan, along with an echogenic bowel, oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) and two vessels in the umbilical cord instead of one. I was warned I may need to make a decision on whether to terminate the pregnancy and referred for further tests. After three long and scary weeks of tests, including a specialist fetal renal scan in London to check her kidneys and a CVS (which ruled out genetic conditions that were ‘incompatible with life’), the conclusion was that the IUGR was being caused by placental insufficiency…. Somehow my little fighter made it to 36 weeks gestation and was delivered by c-section weighing 4lb 1oz, which meant she was classed as Small for Gestational Age (SGA) (i).”

3. Multiple pregnancies:

If you are carrying more than one baby, i.e., twins, triplets, or more, the individual weight of each baby could be below 2,500 grams. It is because the babies compete for nutrients, thereby putting excess strain on the mother (5).

4. High blood pressure:

If you have high BP, the blood flow to the baby from the placenta is interrupted, resulting in lower birth weight of the baby (6). According to a study by researchers from Northwestern University, the prevalence of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women doubled from 2007 to 2019 in the United States.

5. Intake of drugs or alcohol:

Consumption of nicotine, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy will affect the growth of the baby and thus impact her weight. These substances release harmful chemicals in the placenta which alter the oxygen supply to the growing baby and therefore inhibit her growth and development (7). It can also increase a risk of perinatal mortality and congenital abnormalities (also known as birth defects).

6. Placental issues:

If you have any placenta-related problems like placenta previa (placenta lies unusually low in your uterus covering your cervix), placental insufficiency, or pre-eclampsia (pregnancy complication of high blood pressure and kidney damage), they also affect the flow of blood and nutrients to the fetus. Thus, these pregnancy complications may hamper fetal development, leading to unfavorable birth outcomes such as low birth weight (8).

7. Abnormalities of the uterus:

FibroidsiBenign uterine growths that may cause contractions and intense pelvic and back pain and uterine malfunctions would restrict the growth of the baby in the uterus (9).

8. Diabetes:

Diabetes is usually associated with a big baby, but it also results in preterm labor in some cases which will affect the baby’s weight (10).

9. Abnormalities of the cervix:

Cervix abnormalities can stimulate a preterm birth as it is under pressure to open up. It will, therefore, cause low birth weight in babies. However, doctors may treat this condition by putting a stitch called cerclage, and you are suggested to take complete bed rest (11).

10. Infections that develop during pregnancy:

It is quite common for you to contract infections during pregnancy. These diseases and drugs to treat them will have a significant effect on the baby’s birth weight (12).

11. Prior history:

If you have had a low birth delivery or pre-term delivery earlier, the chances for another low birth weight delivery are high (13).

12. Improper diet:

If you have not gained the required weight due to an imbalanced diet or malnutrition during pregnancy, there is a chance of having a low birth weight baby. A growing baby needs sufficient nutrients to develop, and maternal nutrition plays a prominent role in the baby’s development (14).

With careful nurturing and breast milk, some babies cover the shortfall in the first few months. However, for a few mothers their baby’s low weight continues to be a worry as it could have long-term effects.

protip_icon Quick fact
Maternal age below 17 or more than 35 years during pregnancy may be a risk factor for low birth weight in babies (22).

Effects Of Low Birth Weight On Child Development

Effects of low birth weight on the baby

Image: IStock

The effects vary from baby to baby and also depend on the cause of low birth weight. Some of the problems associated with newborn health are (15):

  • Breathing difficulties such as infant respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
  • High risk of infections.
  • Problems with feeding and weight gain.
  • Low blood sugars (hypoglycemia).
  • Increased red blood cell count which can make the blood thick.
  • Inability to stay warm.
  • Inadequate oxygen levels at birth.
  • Gastrointestinal problems such as necrotizing enterocolitisiA serious disease characterized by the damage of intestinal tissues, typically affecting the preterm babies (intestinal disease).
  • Neurological issues, including intraventricular hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)
  • SIDS (sudden infant death syndromeiSudden, unexpected, and unexplained demise of an infant under the age of one ),

Studies show that babies with low weight may have cognitive problems like developmental delays, lower intelligence quotient (IQ), and poor academic performance. Such children may also have an increased risk of developing behavioral problems. The lower the weight, the more pronounced the problems (16).

Also, the child’s development or emotional effects will depend on:

  • The cause of the baby’s low birth weight.
  • The pregnancy stage at which the growth restriction occurred.

Low birth weight babies require special care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until they gain weight and become healthy. Babies with too low a birth weight, around 500 grams, have fewer chances of survival (17).

Low birth weight could sometimes be unavoidable. But if you know about the situation when the baby is in your womb, you will be able to take corrective measures. Certain tests during pregnancy can help you with it.

Diagnosis Of Low Birth Weight During Pregnancy

Doctors use various methods to estimate the weight of the fetus.

  1. Measurement of fundus: After the 20th week, your doctor will measure the height of the fundus of the uterus (the top portion measured from the top of the pubic bone). The dimension in centimeters relates with the number of weeks in pregnancy. If the height is low for the particular number of weeks, you are likely to bore a small baby (18).
  1. Ultrasound: It is not the primary screening for low birth weight. However, it categorizes low birth weight in the analysis. It primarily takes a picture of internal structures such as the baby’s head, femur, and abdomen (19).

Once you know about the low growth of your baby, you may want to change your lifestyle, food habits, take nutritious diet and do everything possible to correct the anomalies.

How Can You Prevent Low Birth Weight

Ways to prevent low birth weight in babies

Image: Shutterstock

The survival rate of low birth babies is increasing mostly due to the advancement in the care of premature and weak babies. However, prevention of low birth weight can be done by taking the following steps:

1. Begin prenatal care early:

Prenatal care is one of the best ways to avoid low birth weight babies and preterm deliveries. It detects any medical illnesses such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, which affect the fetus growth. Therefore, make sure to have regular prenatal visits throughout your pregnancy. During a prenatal visit, the doctor monitors your weight gain, blood pressure, baby’s growth and fetal heartbeat.

2. Healthy weight gain and nutrition:

Have a healthy and nutritious diet particularly in the beginning of your pregnancy. Increase intake of foods rich in folic acid, such as whole grains, fruits, and veggies. It helps in increasing the birth weight of the baby and makes you stay healthy.

3. Changes in lifestyle:

Maternal smoking and drinking increase the chances of having a baby with low birth weight. Stop drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and taking drugs. Have enough sleep and minimize stress for helping the fetus grow.

4. Keep the medical conditions under control:

You are more likely to have a baby with low birth weight due to high blood pressure or diabetes. Therefore, try to keep these pre-existing illnesses under control so as to minimize the risk.

If you have a low birth baby in spite of your efforts during pregnancy, you can continue with your good work after the baby is born! This time, however, there will be a change in the measures you take.

What You Can Do To Help Your Baby Overcome Low Birth Weight

Stop worrying about your baby’s weight and instead, be proactive.

  1. Breastfeed: Proper breastfeeding will not only improve your baby’s weight but also strengthens his immune system. Initially, they may require feeds every two hours, which can improve your infant’s health and overall nutritional status.
  1. Kangaroo mother care: It is a procedure of giving skin-to-skin contact to your baby by keeping them in between your breasts for as long as possible to give them warmth and protect them from infection.
protip_icon Did you know?
When started once they are clinically stable, kangaroo mother care may reduce mortality by 40% among hospitalized infants with a birth weight of less than 2kg (23).
  1. Take for regular checkups: Take your baby to the doctor regularly to understand his developmental milestones.
  1. Keep a close watch on the weight: As your baby gets older, check how he is gaining weight. If he gains weight drastically, then it might be dangerous as it causes weight and issues later in life.
  1. Strive for healthy weight gain: Stay away from giving added sugars or refined foods for him to gain weight. Stick to breastfeeding and nutrient supplements like calcium iron and multivitamins or formula feed if advised until she reaches six months. Offer a nutritious diet after six months.
  1. Have patience: Things will not happen overnight. Gaining weight will be a gradual process, which might take months. Do your job religiously and do not lose hope. Try to be patient and stay positive during this time.

Remember that these measures are helpful if the baby has manageable low weight. But if the weight is too low to follow any home measures, your baby would need treatment at the hospital.

Treatment For Low Birth Weight In Babies

Treatment for low birth weight in babies

Image: Shutterstock

The usual treatment methods for low birth weight babies include:

  • Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
  • Temperature regulated beds.
  • Special feedings, wherein the baby gets his feed through a tube directly into his stomach, if he is unable to suck. It may also include an intravenous (IV) line.

Specific treatment management will depend on:

  • Your child’s gestational age, complete health condition, and medical history.
  • His tolerance for certain medications, therapies, and procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I worry about the baby not gaining weight?

The weight of babies doubles during the first four to six months of their life and triples by the age of one. If a three-month baby has been gaining less than an ounce a day or less than 0.67 ounces between three and six months, it might indicate slow weight gain (20).

2. What is the difference between low birth weight and premature babies?

A baby is premature if born before the 37th week of gestation. On the other hand, a low-birth baby weighs less than 2.5kg at the time of the birth regardless of the gestational week (21).

3. How does low birth weight affect the long-term health of babies?

Babies born with a low birth weight might have an increased risk of health complications, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and intellectual and developmental disabilities, later in life (24).

4. What are the most effective interventions for improving outcomes for low birth weight babies?

Ensuring adequate prenatal care, providing prompt neonatal care, encouraging skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care) and breastfeeding, and managing maternal health conditions, such as diabetes, are effective interventions that can help improve the outcomes for low birth weight infants (25) (26).

Premature birth, intrauterine growth restriction, and multiple births are the common causes of low birth weight in babies. However, maternal health issues and nutritional deficiencies can also result in low birth weight in babies. Term babies weighing less than 2500g are considered to have low birth weight, and those below 1000g have very low birth weight. Further, the weight of preemies is compared to the average weight they should have during that week of pregnancy. Respiratory distress, feeding issues, low blood sugar levels, and increased risk for infections are possible complications in low birth weight babies. Hence, follow your pediatrician’s advice to keep your baby healthy and help them gain weight during infancy.

Infographic: How To Support Babies With Low Birth Weight

Various factors, such as prematurity, genetics, or health problems in the mother, can cause low birth weight. Babies with low birth weight may be at a higher risk for health problems and developmental delays. So, scroll through the infographic for steps parents can take to help their baby overcome this condition and reach a healthy weight.

caring for your baby with low birth weight (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

In this informative video, a doctor from CHOC Children’s explains the risks of low birth weight in infants. Get valuable insights from this video!

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. An IUGR story.
https://medium.com/@claire.williams/an-iugr-story-b6141152b52c

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Clare L. Cutland et al.; Low birth weight: Case definition & guidelines for data collection analysis and presentation of maternal immunization safety data.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5710991/
  2. Ira Adams-Chapman et al.; (2013); Ten-Year Review of Major Birth Defects in VLBW Infants.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3691532/
  3. Prematurity.
    https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=prematurity-90-P02401
  4. Small for Gestational Age.
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P02411
  5. Complications of Multiple Pregnancy.
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/staying-healthy-during-pregnancy/complications-of-multiple-pregnancy
  6. Preeclampsia.
    https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/preeclampsia
  7. S K Virji; (1991); The relationship between alcohol consumption during pregnancy and infant birthweight. An epidemiologic study.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1746254/
  8. Usha Krishnacorresponding and Sarita Bhalerao; (2011); Placental Insufficiency and Fetal Growth Restriction.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257343/
  9. Sukhbir S. Singh et al.; (2007); Pregnancy after uterine artery embolization for fibroids.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1949129/
  10. Diabetes During Pregnancy.
    https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=diabetes-during-pregnancy-90-P02444
  11. Cervical Cerclage.
    https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-complications/cervical-cerclage/
  12. MP Roy; (2016); Maternal infection malnutrition and low birth weight.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5105217/
  13. Thinking About Pregnancy After Premature Birth.
    https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/planning-baby/thinking-about-pregnancy-after-preterm-birth
  14. A Lechtig et al.; (1975); Influence of maternal nutrition on birth weight.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1103609/
  15. Low Birthweight.
    https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/low-birthweight
  16. Shu-Chi Mu et al.; (2008); Cognitive development at age 8 years in very low birth weight children in Taiwan.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19129051/
  17. Haydeh Heidari et al.; (2013); The experiences of parents with infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3748539/
  18. G Kayem et al.; (2009); Comparison of fundal height measurement and sonographically measured fetal abdominal circumference in the prediction of high and low birth weight at term.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19582801/
  19. Eita Goto; (2016); Ultrasound as a primary screening tool for detecting low birthweight newborns.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5008608/
  20. Slow weight gain in infants and in children.
    https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/slow-weight-gain-infants-and-children
  21. Preterm and low birth weight infants.
    https://www.who.int/teams/maternal-newborn-child-adolescent-health-and-ageing/newborn-health/preterm-and-low-birth-weight
  22. Low Birth Weight.
    https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=low-birth-weight-90-P02382
  23. Kangaroo mother care started immediately after birth critical for saving lives new research shows.
    https://www.who.int/news/item/26-05-2021-kangaroo-mother-care-started-immediately-after-birth-critical-for-saving-lives-new-research-shows
  24. Low birthweight
    https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/birth/low-birthweight
  25. Preventing Low Birthweight: Summary and Recommendations
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK214456/
  26. Katharina da Silva Lopes et al.; (2017); Effects of nutrition interventions during pregnancy on low birth weight: an overview of systematic reviews.
    https://gh.bmj.com/content/2/3/e000389

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Dr. Shashidhar A
Dr. Shashidhar AMD
Dr. Shashidhar is a qualified pediatrician and neonatologist with 14 years of experience in pediatrics and neonatology. Currently, he is practicing at St John's Medical College and Tiny Tots Clinic in Koramangala, Bangalore, and is a part of an accomplished team taking care of preterm and sick newborns until discharge and follow up.

Read full bio of Dr. Shashidhar A
Rebecca Malachi
Rebecca MalachiBSc
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi
Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal
Aneesha Amonz
Aneesha AmonzMSc
Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

Read full bio of Aneesha Amonz
Latest Articles