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Washington: Low birth weight babies

A low birth weight is under 2,500 grams, or roughly 5 lbs 8 oz. The percent of low birth weight babies is calculated by dividing the number of low birth weight babies by the number of live births. We multiply the result by 100. In counties with relatively few people, a small number of low birth weight babies may have a significant effect on percents from year to year.

In Washington . . .

  • 6.4 percent of babies had low birth weights in 2014, compared to NA percent in the U.S.

  • 5,707 babies had low birth weights in 2014, compared to 4,381 in 1997.
 

To get the most out of this indicator . . .

 

Ask questions:

 

·         Is the percentage of low birth weight babies increasing or decreasing over time?

 

Dig deeper:

 

·         Look at the county rankings for your state to see how your county compares to others.

·         The County Health Rankings website provides a set of county health indicators for every county in the nation.

·         Download data for your county or state to see the number of low-weight births in your county each year.

·        Take a Big Picture view of your county.

·         If you have specific questions, send us an e-mail.



Note: A "low" birthweight is below 2,500 grams, or roughly 5 lbs 8 oz. Percent low birth weight babies is calculated by dividing the number of low birth weight babies by the number of live births. It is presented on a "per 100" basis. NA = Not Reported or Not Available.

Source: 1997-2014: Washington State Department of Health (http://www.doh.wa.gov/DataandStatisticalReports/VitalStatisticsandPopulationData/Birth);
DATE LAST UPDATED: September 1, 2015.



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