Kids Matter! - 2008

HEALTHY CHILDREN

Very Low Birth Weight Births

Over the past six years, the overall percentages of very low birth weight births have remained relatively constant. A significant disparity persists with the percent of Black infants born at very low birth weight being more than twice the percent of White infants born at very low birth weight. Very low birth weight births are infants that weigh less than 1500 grams (approximately 3.3 pounds). These infants are at an even greater risk of infant death. In 2007, there were 66 very low birth weight births, making up 1.6% of the total births for that year.

Definition: Very Low Birth Weight is a proportional rate representing the number of very low birth weight births. In Chatham County, there were 4,012 births to all mothers in 2007. Of this number, 66 births weighed less than 1500 grams (approx. 3.3 pounds), comprising 1.6% of the total births.

Formula: Very Low Birth Weight Rate: ((Total births <1500 grams / Total births) X 100)