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Why Is This Important?
Low birthweight (LBW) represents multiple factors: infant current and future morbidity, as well as premature mortality risk, and maternal exposure to health risks. LBW serves as a predictor of premature mortality and/or morbidity.LBW children have greater developmental and growth problems, are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life, have a greater rate of respiratory conditions, and have higher rates of cognitive problems such as cerebral palsy, and visual, auditory, and intellectual impairments.
Low birthweight is a valuable public health indicator of maternal health, nutrition, healthcare delivery, and poverty. LBW indicates maternal exposure to health risks in all categories of health factors, including her health behaviors, access to health care, the social and economic environment the mother inhabits, and environmental risks to which she is exposed. Authors have found that modifiable maternal health behaviors, including nutrition and weight gain, smoking, and alcohol and substance use or abuse, can result in LBW.
For more information, please visit the Low Birthweight for Cabarrus County Page on the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings.
Notes on Methodology
Low Birthweight is the percentage of live births where the infant weighed less than 2,500 grams (approximately 5 lbs., 8 oz.).
To learn more about the Measure Methods, please visit the Low Birthweight, Measure Methods Section, on the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings Website.