Low birth weight – defined here as newborns weighing less than 2 500 grams – is an important indicator
of infant health because of the close relationship between birth weight and infant morbidity and
mortality. There are two categories of low birth weight babies: those occurring as a result of restricted foetal
growth and those resulting from pre-term birth. Low birth weight infants have a greater risk of poor health
or death, require a longer period of hospitalisation after birth, and are more likely to develop significant disabilities