Kids Matter! - 2008

HEALTHY CHILDREN

Low Birth Weight Births

Babies born at low birth weight are at increased risk of having developmental and health problems later. The overall percentages of low birth weight births have changed very little over the past six years. In 2007, there were 395 births that were low birth weight, making up 9.8% of the total births for that year. Twice as many Black infants continue to be born at low birth weight when compared to Whites or Hispanics, a disparity that has shown no improvement in recent years.

Definition: Low Birth Weight is a proportional rate representing the number of low birth weight births. In Chatham County, there were 4,012 births to all mothers in 2007. Of this number, 395 births weighed less than 2500 grams (approx. 5.5 pounds), comprising 9.8% of the total births.

Formula: Low Birth Weight Rate: ((Total births <2500 grams / Total births) X 100)