1. What is the Percent Birth Weight Loss Calculator?

This calculator estimates how many days it will take for an infant to lose a certain percentage of their birth weight based on their daily caloric deficit. It helps healthcare providers and parents understand the timeline of weight loss in newborns.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( percentage\_loss \) — The desired percentage of birth weight to lose (%)
• \( birth\_weight \) — The infant's birth weight (kg)
• \( deficit \) — Daily caloric deficit (kcal/day)
• 7700 — Calories per kg of body weight (kcal/kg)

Explanation: The formula calculates how many days are needed to lose a certain percentage of birth weight based on the daily caloric deficit, accounting for the energy content of body tissue.

3. Importance of Birth Weight Loss Monitoring

Details: Monitoring newborn weight loss is crucial as excessive loss can indicate feeding problems or other health issues. Most newborns lose 5-7% of birth weight in the first few days and regain it by 10-14 days.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the percentage of weight loss desired, the infant's birth weight in kilograms, and the daily caloric deficit. All values must be positive numbers.

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. Loss >10% may warrant evaluation.

Q2: What causes excessive weight loss?
A: Inadequate feeding, breastfeeding difficulties, illness, or metabolic disorders can cause excessive loss.

Q3: Why 7700 kcal/kg?
A: This represents the energy content of body tissue (fat and protein) in kcal per kg.

Q4: How is caloric deficit determined?
A: Deficit is the difference between caloric needs (about 100-120 kcal/kg/day) and actual intake.

Q5: When should I be concerned?
A: Consult a pediatrician if weight loss exceeds 10% or if infant shows signs of dehydration.