According to WHO Low birth weight baby (LBW) defined as when the birth weight?

NORCET-7 Mains-2024

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET-7 Mains-2024

Explanation

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a universal standard for defining Low Birth Weight (LBW).
By international agreement, LBW is defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 grams (2.5 kg).
This definition applies regardless of the gestational age of the newborn.
This threshold is critical for identifying infants at higher risk of mortality and morbidity, guiding the level of care needed.

Option A: A birth weight of less than 2000 grams is incorrect for the general LBW definition. This value is closer to the definition of Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW).
Option C: A birth weight of less than 3000 grams is incorrect. A baby weighing between 2500g and 3000g is considered to have a normal birth weight.
Option D: A birth weight of less than 3500 grams is incorrect. This value is well within the normal birth weight range for a term infant.

Visual 1: Chart - A visual chart illustrating the different categories of birth weight: Extremely Low Birth Weight (<1000g), Very Low Birth Weight (<1500g), Low Birth Weight (<2500g), and Normal Birth Weight (2500-4000g). This helps in quick recall of the classifications.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain WHO definition of Low Birth Weight (LBW) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must accurately identify LBW infants immediately after birth to initiate appropriate interventions, such as thermal care (using an incubator or kangaroo mother care), blood glucose monitoring, and feeding support.
LBW is a key indicator of maternal and child health in a population. A high incidence of LBW points to underlying issues like maternal malnutrition, inadequate prenatal care, and socio-economic challenges.
What if? If a baby's weight is 1400g, the nurse must classify it as Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW), not just LBW. This VLBW classification triggers a higher level of care, often requiring admission to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for specialized respiratory, nutritional, and developmental support.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'WHO' and 'Low birth weight baby (LBW)'. This indicates the question is asking for a standard, internationally recognized definition.
Recognize that this is a factual recall question. You need to remember the specific weight threshold set by the World Health Organization.
Evaluate the options, which are all weight measurements. Your task is to select the correct cutoff value.
Recall that 2500 grams (2.5 kg) is the universally accepted cutoff for LBW. Anything less than this is considered low birth weight.
Eliminate the other options. 2000g is too low (closer to VLBW), while 3000g and 3500g are within the normal weight range.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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