Low Birth Weight

Low birth weight is birth weight below 2500 g, regardless of gestational age.

Very low birth weight is below 1500 g.

Extremely low birth weight is below 1000 g.

Low birth weight may result from prematurity, fetal growth restriction or both.

Major risks include:

• Hypothermia
• Hypoglycaemia
• Feeding difficulty
• Apnoea
• Respiratory distress
• Infection
• Poor postnatal growth

Record accurate birth weight and gestational age.

Classify growth relative to gestational age to distinguish prematurity from fetal growth restriction.

• Maintain warmth.

• Use kangaroo mother care whenever clinically stable.

• Prioritize expressed breast milk.

• Monitor glucose closely, particularly during the first 72 hours.

• Supplement feeds by nasogastric tube when suck and swallow coordination is inadequate.

• Monitor weight daily during inpatient care.

Weight loss during the first days is expected, but excessive or persistent loss requires reassessment of fluid and caloric intake.