Why Is This Important?

Low birth weight (LBW) increases the risk for infant morbidity and mortality. LBW infants are at greater risk of dying in the first month of life. LBW infants may require intensive care at birth and are at higher risk of developmental disabilities and chronic illnesses throughout life. They are more likely to require special education services. Health care costs and length of hospital stay are higher for LBW infants.

Definition

Percent of live births with a birth weight of less than 2,500 grams (approximately 5 lbs, 8 oz).

Data Sources

• Birth Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health
  (https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/)
• National Vital Statistics Reports, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/nvsr.htm)
• Natality public-use data, CDC WONDER On-line Database, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  (https://wonder.cdc.gov/natality.html)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

The average birth weight of New Jersey infants born in 2022 was 3,251.5 grams or 7 lbs 3 oz. The overall low birth weight (LBW) rate reached an all time high of 8.4% in 2011 but has since declined below 8%. Black mothers are more likely to deliver LBW (13%) infants than are other racial/ethnic groups (6-9%). LBW rates for New Jersey's counties ranged from 5.5% in Morris to 9.6% in Cumberland County. Birth weight is highly correlated with plurality and gestational age. While 2.4% of full term singletons were of LBW, 22.3% of full term twins were born at a weight below 2,500 grams in 2022.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The low birth weight rate among New Jersey mothers is below that of the nation as a whole.

What Is Being Done?

The [http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/ Division of Family Health Services] in the New Jersey Department of Health administers programs to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of families and communities in New Jersey. Several programs are aimed at improving birth outcomes. The [https://nurturenj.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/20210120-Nurture-NJ-Strategic-Plan.pdf Nurture NJ Strategic Plan] sets forth recommendations to improve the health of New Jersey mothers and babies.

More Resources

Visit the NJSHAD [[a href="query/selection/birth/BirthSelection.html" Birth Data Query]] to create your own tables, graphs, and maps of birthweight by demographic, maternal, infant, health care services, and geographic characteristics. National Center for Health Statistics [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/birthweight.htm Birthweight and Gestation Fast Stats] Womack LS, Rossen LM, Martin JA. [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db306.pdf Singleton low birthweight rates, by race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2006-2016]. NCHS Data Brief, no 306. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2018.