Excerpt from Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant

Synonyms, Key Words, and Related Terms: extremely low birth weight infant, ELBW infant, neonatal hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, preterm infants, prematurity, premature infants, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, RDS, patent ductus arteriosus, PDA, infection in premature infants, neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, NEC, intraventricular hemorrhage, IVH, periventricular leukomalacia, PVL, nutrition in ELBW infant

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Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) is defined as a birth weight less than 1000 g (2 lb, 3 oz). The majority of ELBW infants are also the youngest of premature newborns, usually born at 27 weeks' gestational age or younger. Nearly 1 in 10 infants with low birth weight (<2500 g) are ELBW infants (approximately 32,320 US born ELBW infants in 2003).

Infants born at less than 1500 g are termed very low birth weight (VLBW). Infants whose weight is appropriate for their gestational ages are considered appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Infants who are heavier than expected are large for gestational age (LGA); conversely, those smaller than expected are considered small for gestational age (SGA) and are usually also found to be intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) prior to birth.

ELBW survival has improved with the widespread use of surfactant agents, maternal steroids, and advancements in neonatal technologies. The minimum age of viability is now as young as 23 weeks, with scattered reports of survivors born at 21-22 weeks' estimated gestational age.

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