Low Birthweight is the percentage of live births where the infant weighed less than 2,500 grams (approximately 5 lbs., 8 oz.). Low birthweight (LBW) represents two factors: maternal exposure to health risks and an infant's current and future morbidity, as well as premature mortality risk. From the perspective of maternal health outcomes, LBW indicates maternal exposure to health risks in all categories of health factors, including her health behaviors, access to health care, the social and economic environment she inhabits, and environmental risks to which she is exposed. In terms of the infant's health outcomes, LBW serves as a predictor of premature mortality and/or morbidity over the life course and for potential cognitive development problems.