1. What is Neonatal Weight Loss?

Neonatal weight loss refers to the normal physiological weight reduction that occurs in newborns during the first days of life. It's calculated as a percentage of the birth weight and helps assess feeding adequacy and hydration status.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Birth Weight} \) — Newborn's weight at birth (kg)
• \( \text{Current Weight} \) — Newborn's current weight (kg)

Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage of weight lost relative to the original birth weight.

3. Importance of Monitoring Weight Loss

Details: Monitoring neonatal weight loss is crucial for identifying excessive loss that may indicate feeding problems, dehydration, or other medical issues requiring intervention.

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.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered normal neonatal weight loss?
A: Typically 5-7% loss in the first 3-5 days is normal, with >10% loss warranting evaluation.

Q2: When should weight regain begin?
A: Most newborns regain birth weight by 10-14 days of age.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: Daily in the first week for breastfeeding infants, then weekly until regaining birth weight.

Q4: Does delivery method affect weight loss?
A: Yes, vaginally delivered infants often lose less weight than cesarean-delivered infants.

Q5: When to be concerned about weight loss?
A: If loss exceeds 10%, occurs rapidly, or persists beyond 1 week, consult a pediatrician.