Low birth weight is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams). An average newborn usually weighs about 8 pounds. A low-birth-weight baby may be healthy even though he or she is small.

What is considered a low birth weight?

Very low birth weight (VLBW) is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces (1.5 kilograms). It is very rare that babies are born this tiny. Only about 1% of babies born in the U.S. are very low birth weight.

What causes low birth rate?

In addition there are socio-economic factors that have led to women and couples delaying having children. Lack of affordable housing, flexible and part-time career posts for women and affordable and publicly funded (free) child care have contributed to the current low fertility/birth rates.