Definition of low birth weight:

Low birth weight infants are those born weighing less than 2500 g. These are further subdivided into:

• Very Low Birth Weight : Birth weight <1,500 g
• Extremely Low Birth Weight : Birth weight <1,000 g Their survival is directly related to birth weight, with approximately 20% of those between 500 and 600 g and>90% of those between 1,250 and 1,500 g surviving. Perinatalcare has improved the rate of survival of low birth weight infants.

Causes of low birth weight:

• Premature birth
• Intrauterine growth restriction, which are most often Due to different placental problems and health problems of the mother or new-born

RISK FACTORS:

• Age: Teen mothers have a much higher risk of having VLBW infant.
• Multiple birth babies are at increased risk of being VLBW because they often are premature. More than 50% of twins and other multiple gestations are VLBW if <15 years
• Maternal health: Women exposed to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes during pregnancy are more likely to have low birth weight babies. Mothers of lower socioeconomic
• Race: African-American babies are twice as likely as Caucasian to be very low birth weight

Inclusion Criteria:

• All neonates admitted to neonatology unit

  1. From 0-28 days
  2. Weighting less than 2500gm

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any neonate weighting more than 2500 gm

all low birth weight babies