1. What is Percentage Weight Loss?

Percentage weight loss in newborns is a crucial measurement to assess adequate feeding and hydration status. It's calculated by comparing the current weight to the birth weight and expressing the difference as a percentage of the birth weight.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the percentage weight loss formula:

Where:

• Birth Weight — Initial weight of the newborn (kg)
• Current Weight — Current measured weight (kg)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of the original birth weight has been lost, which helps healthcare providers assess if the weight loss is within normal limits or requires intervention.

3. Importance of Weight Loss Monitoring

Details: Newborns typically lose 5-7% of their birth weight in the first few days of life. Weight loss exceeding 10% may indicate feeding problems or other medical issues requiring evaluation.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is normal weight loss for a newborn?
A: Most newborns lose 5-7% of birth weight in the first 3-5 days, then regain it by 10-14 days. Losses >10% warrant evaluation.

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: Contact your pediatrician if weight loss exceeds 7% in first 72 hours, 10% at any time, or if baby isn't regaining weight by day 5.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: Typically weighed at birth, 24 hours, hospital discharge, and first pediatric visit (3-5 days old). More frequent if concerns exist.

Q4: Does weight loss differ for breastfed vs formula-fed babies?
A: Breastfed babies may lose slightly more weight initially but should follow similar patterns of regain.

Q5: What causes excessive weight loss in newborns?
A: Possible causes include inadequate milk intake, feeding difficulties, jaundice, infection, or metabolic disorders.