Neonatal weight loss in breast and formula fed infants.
OBJECTIVE
To define the range of neonatal weight loss in a population relative to feeding method.


METHODS
Prospective observational cohort study.


METHODS
Maternity service providing geographically defined, community based newborn follow up.


METHODS
971 consecutive term newborns of birth weight > or = 2500 g during the first 2-3 weeks of life; 34 excluded (inadequate data). 937 included: 45% breast fed, 42% formula fed, 13% breast and formula fed.


METHODS
Maximum weight loss and timing, age on regaining birth weight.


RESULTS
Median weight loss: formula fed 3.5%, breast fed 6.6%. Upper centiles for maximum weight loss differ considerably (95th centiles: breast fed = 11.8%, formula fed = 8.4%; 97.5th centiles: breast fed = 12.8%, formula fed = 9.5%). Median time of maximum weight loss: 2.7 days for breast fed and formula fed. Recovery of birth weight: breast fed median 8.3 days, 95th centile 18.7 days, 97.5th centile 21.0 days; formula fed median 6.5 days, 95th centile 14.5 days, 97.5th centile 16.7 days. The time taken to regain birth weight correlates with both the degree and timing of initial weight loss for all groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Early neonatal weight loss is defined allowing identification of infants who merit closer assessment and support.
Macdonald
P D
PD
Southern General Hospital Neonatal Paediatric Department, South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust, Glasgow G51 4TF, Scotland, UK. peter.macdonald@sgh.scot.nhs.uk
Ross
S R M
SR
Grant
L
L
Young
D
D
D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D006801:Humans; D006955:Hypernatremia / Q000175:diagnosis; D041943:Infant Formula; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*