Low Birth Weight

In 2024, 1 out of every 12 babies in Oklahoma was born at a below-average weight. Some underweight babies are still healthy, but for many infants, low birthweight can lead to serious health risks. Identifying the impact and factors driving rates of low birthweight is important for understanding broader maternal and community health patterns.  

Low birthweight infants are more susceptible to short-term and long-term health complications, including trouble breathing, brain bleeds, heart or vision problems, and infections. Since low birthweight is a known contributor to infant mortality (see Infant Mortality), it can sometimes increase the likelihood of premature death for babies. Negative health outcomes aren’t just limited to infancy – as adults, individuals born at low birth weight are more likely to experience diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. 

Several factors can influence low birthweight, including but not limited to environmental stressors, the mother’s access to proper nutrition, stress levels, and the ability to receive regular prenatal care. Another contributor is intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a condition that occurs when a baby grows improperly during pregnancy. IUGR can arise from problems with the placenta, the mother’s health, or the baby’s health. Preventative measures women can take to catch these problems and decrease risk include allowing for time between pregnancies, (see Healthy Birth Spacing), seeking consistent prenatal care (see Adequate Prenatal Care), and regular ultrasounds/screenings.

The data show that Black women are twice as likely to have a low birthweight baby than white women. This is certainly true in Oklahoma: from 2021 to 2023, low birthweight rates were highest for Black infants (2.9%), followed by Hispanics (1.4%), Asian/Pacific Islander (1.4%), Whites (1.2%), and American Indian/Alaska Natives (1.2%). Research shows that chronic exposure to social and economic disadvantage leads to an accelerated decline in physical health outcomes, partially explaining racial disparities in a wide array of health conditions, including rates of low birth weight. This historical and institutionalized trauma negatively impacts both the mother’s and the baby’s health. 

Low birth weight can have economic impacts as well as physical ones. One study found that the average cost for low birth weight newborns was around $114,400 – in comparison, those with babies born at average weight paid around $6,700. While these numbers aren’t by any means representative of all births, they highlight a stark contrast in access to affordable care based on infant health outcomes.