1. What is Birth Weight Percentage Loss?

Birth weight percentage loss is a measure of how much weight a newborn has lost compared to their birth weight. It's an important indicator of neonatal health and feeding adequacy in the first days of life.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( birth\ weight \) — Initial weight at birth (grams)
• \( current\ weight \) — Current measured weight (grams)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of the original birth weight has been lost.

3. Importance of Weight Loss Calculation

Details: Monitoring weight loss helps identify infants who may need additional feeding support or medical evaluation. Excessive weight loss (>10%) may indicate feeding problems or other health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter birth weight and current weight in grams. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the percentage of weight lost.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is normal newborn weight loss?
A: Most newborns lose 5-7% of birth weight in first 3-5 days, typically regaining birth weight by 10-14 days.

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if loss exceeds 10% or if baby isn't regaining weight by 2 weeks.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: Typically at birth, 24-72 hours after birth, and at first pediatric visit (3-5 days old).

Q4: Does weight loss differ for breastfed vs formula-fed babies?
A: Breastfed babies may lose slightly more weight initially but patterns are similar when feeding is established.

Q5: What factors affect newborn weight loss?
A: Fluid loss, feeding method, maternal IV fluids during labor, and infant health status.