1. What is Percentage Weight Loss?

Percentage weight loss is a measure of how much weight an infant has lost relative to their birth weight. It's an important indicator of neonatal health and feeding adequacy in the early days after birth.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the percentage weight loss formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates the proportion of birth weight that has been lost, expressed as a percentage.

3. Importance of Monitoring Weight Loss

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

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 weight loss.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if weight loss exceeds 10% or if the infant isn't regaining weight by day 5.

Q3: How often should weight be measured?
A: Daily weights are common in the first few days, then less frequently once feeding is established.

Q4: Does this apply to preterm infants?
A: Preterm infants may lose more weight (10-15%) and take longer to regain birth weight.

Q5: What affects weight loss percentage?
A: Factors include feeding method, maternal fluids during delivery, and infant health status.