(Low) birth weight

WHO provides data on the number of births within each 500g weight interval expressed as a proportion of all registered live and stillbirths. When analysed by gestational age, birth weight distributions provide an indication of growth restriction. Growth restriction is a major complication of pregnancy and is closely related to stillbirth, poor neonatal outcome and future health status. Although birth weight data are of value in their own right, they are especially useful where data on gestational age are lacking, and are associated with health in later life.