NORCET 2 -2021 (Shift…: Low birth weight (LBW) baby describe while weight less than?

NORCET 2 -2021 (Shift-2)

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 2 -2021 (Shift-2)

Explanation

based on the internationally accepted definition of Low Birth Weight (LBW).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a newborn is classified as having a low birth weight if their weight at birth is less than 2500 grams (2.5 kg).
This definition applies regardless of the gestational age of the infant, meaning both preterm and full-term babies can be classified as LBW if they meet the weight criteria.
The measurement should be taken within the first hour of life to be most accurate, before significant postnatal weight loss occurs.

Option A: A weight of 2250 gm is incorrect as the defining threshold for LBW. While a baby weighing 2250 gm is indeed a low birth weight baby, the official classification starts at any weight below 2500 gm.
Option B: A weight of 2750 gm is considered a normal and healthy birth weight for a newborn. The average birth weight for an Indian baby is around 2800-3000 gm.
Option D: A weight of 3000 gm is a healthy and normal birth weight. It is well above the cutoff for LBW.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of Low Birth Weight (LBW) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Identifying an LBW infant is a critical nursing responsibility as it immediately signals the need for specialized care and close monitoring.
Nursing interventions for LBW infants focus on maintaining thermoregulation (e.g., using radiant warmers or incubators), providing nutritional support (e.g., frequent feedings, gavage feeding if needed), preventing infections through strict hygiene, and monitoring for complications like respiratory distress and hypoglycemia.
What if the baby weighs 2400 gm but is born at 40 weeks (full-term)? The baby is still classified as LBW. However, the underlying cause is likely Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), not prematurity. This is also known as being Small for Gestational Age (SGA), and these infants have a different set of risks compared to preterm infants of the same weight.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question. The question asks for the specific weight threshold that defines a 'Low birth weight' (LBW) baby.
This is a factual recall question that relies on knowing a standard medical definition.
Scan the options provided. They are all weight measurements in grams.
Recall the internationally accepted definition by the WHO for Low Birth Weight.
Select the option that matches the correct threshold, which is less than 2500 grams.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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