To study the Pattern of weight loss in Breast-feed Neonates in Initial 72 h of life

Abstract

Background : Neonates are expected to have weight loss in the first few days of life. Many factors are considered to affect newborn weight loss such as breast-feeding adequacy, maternal parity, intravenous fluids administered during labor, and environmental factors. Most of the studies have yielded variable results. The primary objective of this study was to assess the pattern of newborn weight loss in initial 72 h after birth and the factors affecting it. Materials and Methods : A study was carried out on 100 term exclusively breast-feed newborn babies. Neonates were weighed initially at birth and then regularly at 12 hourly intervals for 72 h. Data pertaining to various maternal factors affecting neonatal weight loss, birth weight of newborns, and adequacy of breast-feeding were recorded. Results: About 80% of babies lost 5%–10% of birth weight and 12% of babies lost morethan 10%. The maximum weight loss occurred between 60 and 72 h of life. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) percentage of weight loss in babies with inadequate breast-feeding was 9.0(2.58) compared to 7.3 (1.82) in the adequately breast-fed babies (P < 0.001). The mean (SD) percentage of weight loss in babies born to primipara was 8.4 (1.7) and in multipara it was 7.5 (2.4) (P = 0.005). Neonates who developed significant jaundice had a mean (SD) percentage weight loss of 9.8 (3.40) compared to the rest in whom it was 7.5 (1.92) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Regular monitoring of weight in exclusively breastfed babies is potentially useful. Particular attention may need to be given to primipara mothers and babies who lose more than 10% weight by 72 h.