Eureka! Institutional Repository

The purpose of this dissertation is the literature review on the topic of the birth of low weight neonates and the advanced care required for these neonates. This dissertation consists of two main parts. The first part concerns the literature review which describes the concept of low birth weight and its correlation with prematurity, the classification of neonates based on their birth weight, the causes leading to low birth weight, as well as a list of problems that are likely to occur in neonates. In the second part of this dissertation we analyze the specialized care required for the survival and development of low birth weight neonates, both in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a hospital unit specialized in dealing with such conditions, and later at home. Additionally, we present the valuable benefits of breastfeeding, the different dietary needs of low weight neonates and the alternative feeding ways. Finally, we describe the effects on parent psychology after such an experience and the difficulty of raising a low birth weight neonate.