Birth-Weight

From Embryology

Introduction

There are a variety of prenatal techniques for estimating approximate birth weight that are relevant for preterm, term and prolonged pregnancy. Ultrasound two- and three-dimensional scanning methods are the basis of most current techniques.

At birth, infants are generally weighed as soon as possible and may also be monitored during the neonatal period.


Birth Links: birth | Lecture - Birth | caesarean | preterm birth | birth weight | macrosomia | Birth Statistics | Australian Birth Data | Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHAD) | Neonatal Diagnosis | Apgar test | Guthrie test | neonatal | stillbirth and perinatal death | ICD-10 Perinatal Period | Category:Birth
Historic Birth links  
1921 USA Birth Mortality

Birth Weight Classifications

File:Brain growth and birth size

The primary causes of VLBW are premature birth (born <37 weeks gestation, and often <30 weeks) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), usually due to problems with placenta, maternal health, or to birth defects. Many VLBW babies with IUGR are preterm and thus are both physically small and physiologically immature.


Birth weight (grams) less 500 500 – 999 1,000 – 1,499 1,500 – 1,999 2,000 – 2,499 2,500 – 2,999 3,000 – 3,499 3,500 – 3,999 4,000 – 4,499 4,500 – 4,999 5,000 or more
Classification Extremely Low Birth Weight Very Low Birth Weight Low Birth Weight Normal Birth Weight High Birth Weight

Weight Conversions

Extremely Low Birth Weight

  • Less than 500 grams (1 lb 1 oz or less)
  • 500 – 999 grams (1 lb 2 oz – 2 lb 3 oz)

Very Low Birth Weight

  • 1,000 – 1,499 grams (2 lb 4 oz – 3 lb 4 oz)

Low Birth Weight

  • 1,500–1,999 grams (3 lb 5 oz – 4 lb 6 oz)
  • 2,000–2,499 grams (4 lb 7 oz – 5 lb 8 oz)

Normal Birth Weight

  • 2,500–2,999 grams (5 lb 9 oz – 6 lb 9 oz)
  • 3,000–3,499 grams (6 lb 10 oz – 7 lb 11 oz)
  • 3,500–3,999 grams (7 lb 12 oz – 8 lb 13 oz)

High Birth Weight (macrosomia)

  • 4,000–4,499 grams (8 lb 14 oz – 9 lb 14 oz)
  • 4,500–4,999 grams (9 lb 15 oz – 11 lb 0 oz)
  • 5,000 grams or more (11 lb 1 oz or more)


Links: Fetal Origins Hypothesis | Maternal Diabetes


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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, March 28) Embryology Birth-Weight. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Birth-Weight

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© Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G