Low Birthweight (LBW) is an important predictor of future morbidity and mortality. Compared to infants of normal weight, LBW infants may be at increased risk of perinatal morbidity, infections, and the longer term consequences of impaired development such as delayed motor and social development or learning disabilities.
The measures presented here include only singleton births. Multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.) are a major known risk factor associated with low birthweight birth and were excluded in this data in order to focus on other possible risk factors.
Low Birthweight Births among Full Term Births Data
Low Birthweight (LBW) among Full Term Births (when a baby is born with a weight less than 2,500 grams or 5.5 pounds, and after the 37th completed week of pregnancy) are presented on an annual basis. It can be used to identify trends and patterns in reproductive outcomes across time and space. Prematurity is another major known risk factor associated with low birthweight birth so this measure focuses on full term births.
Measure Description:
- The LBW Full Term Births Count is the number of low birth weight live singleton births that occur at full term.
- The LBW Full Term Births Percent is the number of low birth weight live singleton births that occur at full term as a percent of all live full term singleton births.
Very Low Birthweight Births Data
Very Low Birthweight (LBW) births (when a baby is born with a weight less than 1,500 grams or 3.3 pounds) are presented on a five year aggregate basis to reduce the presence of suppressed values due to small numbers. Data can be displayed at the county level, and includes stabilization of rates to better evaluate trends.
Measure Description:
- The Very LBW Annual Avg Births Count is the average number of very low birth weight live singleton births per year during the 5 year period.
- The Very LBW Births Percent is the number of very low birth weight live singleton births as a percent of all live singleton births during the 5 year period.