Premature birth and low birth weight relationship

Most people know the term premature baby as a baby born at the age of 7 months or less. Medically, premature babies are defined as babies born before 37 weeks' gestation. Premature births themselves are classified into four groups according to the nature of the initial delivery, including:

Premature late babies, babies born between 34 and 36 weeks' gestation
Being premature, babies are born between 32 and 34 weeks' gestation
Very premature babies born less than 32 weeks of pregnancy
Very premature, the baby is born within 25 weeks of pregnancy

Premature birth and baby shape smaller than gestational age are the causes of low birth weight. Low birth weight is an indirect cause of infant death after birth. Low birth weight contributes 60-80% of newborn deaths after birth.

Premature babies mean that babies have not yet reached a stage of growth and development that allows them to survive outside the womb, including their weight. Premature babies will be born with low birth weight.

Baby's weight is based on gestational age

The weight of premature babies after 7 months varies according to the health conditions of the mother and her baby. Here is a chart of the average weight of a baby according to the gestational age and sex of the baby.

1. Baby boy

Pregnancy age (male)                              Weight

24 weeks                                                 650 gram

28 weeks                                                1100 grams

32 weeks                                               1800 grams

35 weeks                                               2500 grams

40 weeks                                                3600 grams

2. Baby girl

Age of Pregnancy (Female)                        Weight

24 weeks                                                    600 grams

28 weeks                                                  1000 grams

32 weeks                                                  1700 grams

35 weeks                                                  2400 grams

40 weeks                                                   3400 grams

Low premature weight complications

The weight of babies born prematurely is given serious attention because the lower the birth weight, the more the possibility of complications such as:

Lack of oxygen in the blood at birth. At birth, the baby does not receive oxygen from the placenta. Babies must breathe to meet their oxygen needs.
Inability to maintain normal body temperature. Maintaining body temperature balance in premature babies usually does not affect the baby; Premature babies are therefore more susceptible to hypothermia.
Difficulty eating and gaining weight. Baby's intestinal function is born. premature is not perfect, there are often eating problems. If the diet is not effective, even weight cannot win well.
High risk of infection
Respiratory problems. The lungs of babies born prematurely often do not work perfectly, making breathing difficult at birth.
Nerve Problems Babies born prematurely may experience brain hemorrhage.
Indigestion. Necrotizing enterocolitis is intestinal inflammation that can be fatal, but is commonly found in premature babies.

Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Premature birth and low birth weight are not the same conditions, but are interrelated and may overlap. Premature babies may have low birth weight, but weight can also be a function of gestational age at birth.

Low birth weight may also be related to the fact that the baby is smaller than the mother's gestational age, where it is lower than the average of other babies of the same gestational age, for example due to stunting.

Babies born prematurely and with low birth weight need special handling after giving birth so they can adapt to new life outside the womb.