A low birth weight baby, or “small baby for gestational age,” is a term used for infants weighing less than 2500 g, which may or may not be premature.
In most cases, low weight is more common in premature babies, but it can occur in babies of different gestational ages, being related to maternal health problems or situations that can affect pregnancy development such as urinary tract infections. severe anemia or thrombophilia.
- After birth.
- The underweight baby may need to be admitted to an intensive care unit.
- Depending on his or her health status.
- However.
- In cases where the baby is uncomplicated and weighs more than 2000 g.
- He or she may return home as long as the parents follow the pediatrician’s recommendations.
Causes of low-weight newborns may be related to maternal health problems, developmental problems during pregnancy, or a decrease in the amount of nutrients available to the baby during pregnancy.
The main factors that cause low birth weight are
In addition, pregnant women who have had placental detachment or pregnant women with twins may also have a low birth weight newborn. Therefore, it is important to follow up with an obstetrician throughout pregnancy, because with ultrasound, your doctor may suspect that the baby is not growing enough and, soon after, make recommendations for specific care and treatments.
When your doctor diagnoses a low-weight baby during pregnancy, it is recommended that the mother rest, maintain a healthy diet, drink an average of 2 litres of water a day, and do not smoke or drink alcohol.
In addition, some underweight infants require specialized care in hospital intensive care units to gain weight and receive ongoing medical care.
However, not all babies born underweight need to be hospitalized and do not develop complications, and often return home as soon as they are born. In these cases, the most important thing is to follow the instructions of the pediatrician and offer breast milk, as this will help you gain weight and develop properly. Learn more about other low-weight baby care.
Generally, the lower the birth weight, the higher the risk of complications, some of which are:
Although not all low birth weight babies develop these complications, they must be accompanied by a pediatrician for their development to proceed normally.