A neonate born at 27 weeks gestation weighs 850 grams at birth. How should this infant be classified?
- A Low birth weight
- B Very low birth weight
- C Extremely low birth weight ✓
- D Small for gestational age
Correct answer: C. Extremely low birth weight
Explanation
By WHO and Indian convention, low birth weight is under 2500 g, very low birth weight under 1500 g, and extremely low birth weight under 1000 g. An 850 g infant therefore qualifies as extremely low birth weight. Small for gestational age describes weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age and is not defined by any absolute gram cutoff, so a 27-week infant could be appropriate or large for dates yet still fall in every weight category.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.