1. What Is Percentage Weight Loss?

Percentage weight loss in infants is a measure of the relative weight an infant has lost compared to their birth weight. It's an important indicator of nutritional status and health in newborns.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance Of Monitoring Weight Loss

Details: Monitoring weight loss in newborns is crucial as excessive loss may indicate feeding problems, dehydration, or other health issues that require medical attention.

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 their birth weight in the first few days, with breastfed babies sometimes losing up to 10%. Losses >10% may warrant evaluation.

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: Consult a pediatrician if weight loss exceeds 10% of birth weight or if the baby isn't regaining weight by day 5-7.

Q3: How often should I weigh my baby?
A: In the first week, daily weights may be helpful. After that, weekly weights are usually sufficient unless there are concerns.

Q4: Does this apply to premature infants?
A: Premature infants may have different weight loss patterns and should be monitored more closely by healthcare professionals.

Q5: When should birth weight be regained?
A: Most term infants regain their birth weight by 10-14 days of age. Breastfed infants may take slightly longer.