What is the weight classification for a low birth weight infant?

A low birth weight infant is classified as one who weighs less than 2500 grams (approximately 5 pounds, 8 ounces) at birth. This classification is significant because low birth weight can be indicative of various health issues and risks, including prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, and potential long-term developmental challenges. It is a critical measure used in pediatric health assessments and has implications for the care and monitoring of infants in medical settings.

The other weight classifications, which are set at different thresholds, are not accurate for defining low birth weight. For instance, infants weighing less than 2000 grams are categorized as very low birth weight and those under 1500 grams as extremely low birth weight. While these distinctions are important in the medical context, they do not pertain to the standard definition of low birth weight, which remains established at under 2500 grams.