Low Birth Weight Babies
A low birth weight baby is known as a LBW. It is generally less than 2500 g.It basically means the weight of the baby is less than the gestational age. A LBW may or may not be premature. A full term baby can also be LBW if the weight is less than 2500g. A weight less than 1500 g is very low birth weight. Low birth weight babies generally are unable to suck properly. According to Dr Mubina Agboatwalla – A Child Specialist in Karachi a few days they are fed with a feeding tube. Once sucking settles, breast feeding is started. They cannot maintain their body temperature so need incubator care. In addition, they may be hypoxic so may need oxygen therapy. They are more susceptible to infection, and can develop chest infections or septicemia. They are generally anaemic too LBW babies need special care and good nutritional care.