1. What is Percentage Weight Loss in Infants?

Percentage weight loss is a measure of how much weight an infant has lost compared to their birth weight. It's an important indicator of nutritional status and hydration in newborns.

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 what percentage of the birth weight has been lost, which helps assess if the weight loss is within normal limits or requires intervention.

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. Most newborns lose 5-7% of birth weight in first few days and regain it by 10-14 days.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is normal percentage weight loss for newborns?
A: 5-7% loss in first 3-5 days is typical for breastfed infants. More than 10% loss may require evaluation.

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: If loss exceeds 10%, if infant shows signs of dehydration, or if weight isn't regained by 2 weeks.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: Typically at birth, 3-5 days old, and at 2 weeks. More frequent if concerns exist.

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

Q5: How accurate should the weights be?
A: Use the same calibrated scale for serial measurements when possible for best accuracy.