Slow fetal growth
Also known as: Disorders of newborn related to slow fetal growth or fetal malnutrition, unspecified
General information only. Anpheros does not diagnose and does not recommend treatment. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your situation. In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number).
In short
Birth weight is the first weight of a baby taken just after being born, where a low birth weight is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces, and a high birth weight is more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces. Low birth weight can occur if a baby is born too small, too early, or both, which can be caused by factors such as health problems, infections, or substance use during pregnancy, placenta issues, or genetic conditions. Babies with low birth weight may face immediate health risks like breathing problems, infections, hypoglycemia, jaundice, and trouble keeping warm, as well as longer-term risks including delayed development, learning disabilities, and adult health conditions. High birth weight can make delivery difficult, raise the risk of birth injuries, and increase the baby's risk of problems with blood sugar, breathing, and jaundice.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.
Codes
Description
What is birth weight?
Birth weight is the first weight of your baby, taken just after being born. A low birth weight means that the baby is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. A high birth weight means that the baby is more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
What can cause low birth weight?
A baby with a low birth weight can be born too small, too early (premature), or both. This can happen for many different reasons. They include:
- Health problems in the pregnant parent
- Taking certain medicines during pregnancy
- Substance use during pregnancy
- Infections during pregnancy
- Being pregnant with multiple babies
- Problems with the placenta, the organ that brings oxygen and nutrients to the baby
- Having small parents
- Genetic conditions in the baby
- Birth defects
What problems can low birth weight cause?
Babies with low birth weight may be more at risk of certain health problems. They include immediate problems, such as:
- Breathing problems
- Infections
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Jaundice
- Trouble keeping warm
There is also a higher risk of longer-term problems, including:
- Delayed motor and social development
- Learning disabilities
- Certain health conditions as an adult, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity
What can cause high birth weight?
Causes of high birth weight can include:
- Having big parents
- Diabetes in the pregnant parent
- Certain genetic conditions
- Too much weight gain during pregnancy
What problems can high birth weight cause?
High birth weight can be a concern because it can make delivery of the baby difficult and raise the risk of birth injuries. The baby is at higher risk of problems with:
- Blood sugar
- Breathing problems
- Jaundice
Can birth weight problems be prevented?
You may be able to prevent some birth weight problems by:
- Getting regular checkups during pregnancy
- Getting the right amount of nutrition and calories during pregnancy
- Controlling your blood sugar if you have diabetes
- Avoiding substance use during pregnancy
Next to it in ICD-10
- O80Normal vaginal delivery (single baby)
- O82Caesarean delivery (single baby)
- P00Baby affected by the mother's health conditions
- P07Premature birth and low birth weight
- P08Prolonged pregnancy and high birth weight
- P74Temporary electrolyte and metabolic problems in newborns
Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.
External resources
Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for Slow fetal growth?
P05 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).
What is the ICD-11 code for Slow fetal growth?
KA20.Z: Disorders of newborn related to slow fetal growth or fetal malnutrition, unspecified (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).
Sources and attribution
- ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.
- Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
- Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).
Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →
About this page. This page brings together public information from official sources, each cited where it is used. It is not medical advice, it is not a diagnosis, and it does not tell you which treatment to take.
Treatments. Indications are quoted unchanged from official product information (European Medicines Agency, U.S. Food and Drug Administration). They describe what a medicine is approved for, not whether it is right for you. Approved uses can differ between countries. Always read the package leaflet and follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice.
What people report. Figures marked "reported by Anpheros users" are anonymous counts from at least 20 people who agreed to share them. They show what people report, not what works, and they are not clinical evidence.
Links between terms. "May be associated with" means the link appears in a cited source. It does not mean you have that condition.
In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number). Do not delay seeking medical help because of something you read here.