A baby’s weight is one of the first things that is recorded soon after birth. This birth weight becomes the child’s initial reference point to track all future weight gain and loss that help track physical development. Recently, a new study suggests that birth weight is also related to intelligence throughout life later on. Is there any truth to this? Let’s learn more about the causes of low birth weight in babies.
What Does Low Birth Weight Mean?
Low birth weight is a term used to describe babies born with weights lower than 2.5 kilograms. Normally, babies are born with an average weight of 3.6 kg.
There are babies who weigh less than average even though they are small. But take note of the serious problems they might encounter regarding their health.
Research regarding low birth weight says that it contributes to 60 to 80 per cent of neonatal deaths around the globe. In developing countries, it is estimated that 20 million babies are born with low birth weight every year.
Preterm births or delivery before their 37th week in the womb are also rising in numbers. Most premature babies have low birth weight.
Why Does Low Birth Weight Happen?
The main reason for low birth weight is premature birth, or delivery occurring before the 37th week of pregnancy. They did not have much time inside their mother’s womb.
Premature babies have not yet fully grown and gained enough weight. They are still small, weak, and not fully developed.
Another reason could be the intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This happens when the baby in the womb does not grow as it should during pregnancy.
IUGR may be connected with problems with the placenta, the mum’s health, or the baby’s.
Two types of IUGR could be:
- Symmetrical – all parts of the body are proportionally small
- Asymmetrical – baby’s head and brain are the right sizes, but the rest of the body parts are smaller than expected
Also, babies with IUGR might be:
- Full-term – babies born from 37 to 41 weeks of pregnancy. These babies are fully grown, yet are small.
- Premature – these babies are born before week 37 of pregnancy and are both small and bodily immature
Additionally, these things may affect a woman’s pregnancy, which can also heighten the risks of low birth weight in the baby:
- Pregnancy-related infection
- Not enough weight gain during pregnancy
- Previous pregnancy with low birth weight baby
- Smoking and alcohol and drug abuse
- Age less than 17 and over 35 during the time of pregnancy
What to Look Out for in Babies With Low Birth Weight?
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Most parents think that having a baby born on time with a relatively small size, or just a bit early, will not be a problem. Well, most low birth weight babies are just fine and have no problems just because they are small.
However, parents should still look out for the following problems related to babies with low birth weight:
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Issues with internal organs
Babies born prematurely definitely have complications. These include problems with the brain, heart, lungs, intestines, and others.
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Problematic blood sugar levels
Most low birth weight babies have issues regulating their blood sugar levels. Late preterm babies use sugar intake faster than they can replace it. This results in dangerously lower blood sugar.
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Problematic temperature regulation
Small babies may have trouble regulating their body temperature and keeping their bodies warm. It is because of a lack of body fats.
If they have problems warming on their own, it is needed for them to stay in the incubator.
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Eating problems
Babies with low birth weight are not always capable of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding well. They might need help taking in enough nutrients and calories needed for their growth.
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Watch for any complications
While it is uncontrollable to expect your baby’s weight to their health, be cautious of the possible complications. Smaller babies need monitoring more often than normal-weight babies.
Remember, parents. Be extra careful if your low birth weight babies are showing signs of trouble in feeding, keeping warm, or preventing infections.
Studies account that babies with low birth weight are more prone to health issues like vision problems, asthma, and motor skills and eye coordination.
Low Birth Weight Linked to Lower Intelligence Well Into Adulthood, Says Study
Results from a new longitudinal study from Denmark claim that below-average birth weight is linked to a lower intelligence quotient (IQ) well into adulthood.
Researchers found that the differences in IQ — when comparing underweight babies and their normal counterparts — didn’t change much as they grew up. Even among the babies born within the “normal weight” bracket, newborns who were heavier still had slightly higher IQs as they grew up.
Trine Flensborg-Madsen, the lead study author from the University of Copenhagen, said that they discovered “the association between birth weight and intelligence is stable from young adulthood into midlife.”
According to Flens-borg-Madsen, “There are long-term cognitive consequences of birth weight that do not diminish.”
What the study found
In the study, researchers analysed data from roughly 4,700 babies in Copenhagen between 1959 to 1961. They looked at birth records and their scores from IQ tests that these individuals attempted when they were 19, 28 and 50 years old, too.
- weighing below 2.5 kg, or underweight
- between 2.5 kg to 3 kg
- weighing from 3 kg to 3.5 kg, which was considered normal
- between 3.5 kg to 4 kg
- weighing over 4 kg, or overweight
The researchers report in the Journal Pediatrics that birth weight was deeply linked to intellect in their IQ tests conducted at ages 19, 28 and 50.
The link still held true after researchers took into account other things which may affect intellect.
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More research is needed, say scientists
However, according to the authors, weighing below average from birth isn’t a good explanation for the link. That’s because the same pattern was also observed in newborn babies who were delivered with healthy weights.
Furthermore, the experiment wasn’t specially formulated to verify if below-average birth weight directly leads to lower IQ scores, or if larger babies are actually more clever.
The study also didn’t take into account many other possible factors that could affect the child’s intelligence, like:
- what their home environment was like
- their mum’s stress levels
- how smart their parents were.
All of these could affect the infants’ IQ scores in the future.
“The brain develops rapidly before birth, and therefore lower birth weight may reflect a poorer environment for brain growth,” says Shenkin. “We still can’t say whether low birth weight ‘causes’ lower cognitive ability test scores.”
Low Birth Weight Baby Management Tips for New Mums
Parents, we know you’re concerned if your baby has low birth weight. According to Stanford Children’s Health, there are many ways to estimate your child’s birth weight before delivery.
However, after your little one is born, your doctors will weigh them and advise you appropriately. If your little one is severely underweight, additional treatment may be recommended, including:
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Tending to them in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU
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providing them with beds with adjustable temperatures
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providing special methods to feed them, such as via a tube directly connected to your little one’s stomach (if they are unable to suck), or by using an intravenous (IV) line
If all goes well, your little one can be discharged. But here comes the hard part: how do you know you’re on the right track? Here are some low birth weight baby management tips to get you started.
Tip #1: How you feed them matters
To breastfeed or give them formula? There are a few things you need to know about both when it comes to birth weight.
Babies feeding on formula are likelier to pack on weight faster than their breastfed counterparts. In fact, it’s possible for formula-fed babies to put on too much weight. After all, formula is more concentrated than breastmilk and parents usually expect their babies to empty the whole bottle.
Dr Jack Newman is well-known as a breastfeeding expert and paediatrician. According to him, excessive weight gain is less of a concern for breastfed babies, as they can stop sucking when they’re full (rather than finishing off the bottle). Thus, they can self-regulate the amount of milk they drink.
“I wouldn’t worry about rapid growth in a breastfed baby who is content and healthy,” says Dr Newman.
ALSO READ:
The Ultimate Guide For Parents About Newborn Baby Weight Loss And Gain
Tip #2: Check those early diapers as much as you can
During the first three days after being born, your baby will shed dark stools, called meconium. By the third or fourth day though, the stools should be soft and yellow (if breastfed) or darker and firmer (formula-fed).
If you don’t notice these changes, experts say that your little one might not be getting enough milk.
Another red flag for inadequate milk is that your little one isn’t wetting his nappies enough each day. Generally, two-day-old newborn babies will produce two to three wet diapers a day. However, by the time they become seven days old, they should be producing about six to eight wet diapers.
If you’re concerned because your baby hasn’t been wetting his nappies enough, or if you do find something wrong with his stools, please consult your paediatrician immediately.
How to Prevent Your Low Birth Weight in Newborns
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Follow a healthy pregnancy diet
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Take prenatal vitamins
Prenatal vitamins provide vital nutrients needed for your baby’s growth and development. They supplement your diet and help fulfil any nutritional gaps. Look for prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid, iron, calcium, and other essential vitamins and minerals.
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Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or taking any prohibited drugs
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Stay hydrated
Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day to support healthy blood flow and proper functioning of your body. Dehydration can affect the placenta’s function and contribute to low birth weight.
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Manage stress
High levels of stress can potentially impact your baby’s growth. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as practicing relaxation techniques, engaging in regular physical activity, seeking emotional support, and incorporating self-care activities into your routine.
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Attend prenatal appointments
Regular prenatal check-ups are crucial for monitoring your baby’s growth and overall health. Your healthcare provider will track your weight gain, blood pressure, and other vital signs to ensure everything is progressing well.
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Get regular exercise
Engage in moderate-intensity exercises approved by your healthcare provider. Physical activity promotes healthy blood circulation, reduces the risk of excessive weight gain, and contributes to overall well-being.
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Get enough rest
Prioritise quality sleep and establish a consistent sleep routine. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Sufficient rest helps support your baby’s growth and development.
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