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Published on: September 22, 2023
Breastfeeding and neonatal weight loss in healthy term infants
Riccardo Davanzo1, Zemira Cannioto, Luca Ronfani
1Division of Neonatology and NICU, Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
Insights
Neonatal weight loss is common, but safe limits are unclear. This study found factors like cesarean birth and formula feeding linked to greater weight loss in healthy newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatrics
- Infant health
Background:
- Neonatal weight loss is a common phenomenon in newborns.
- There is a lack of professional consensus regarding the definition of safe neonatal weight loss limits.
- Understanding factors influencing neonatal weight loss is crucial for infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the extent of neonatal weight loss in healthy term infants.
- To identify clinical variables associated with neonatal weight loss.
- To analyze readmissions due to dehydration and complications of weight loss.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1003 healthy term infants.
- Inclusion of data on neonatal weight loss during hospital stay.
- Assessment of readmissions within the first month of life for weight loss-related issues.
Main Results:
- Mean absolute weight loss was 228g (6.7%).
- Cesarean section, hot season, formula feeding, and jaundice were associated with weight loss ≥ 8%.
- Low gestational age was linked to less weight loss; 0.3% of infants were readmitted for dehydration.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding may not increase early neonatal weight loss risk when properly supported.
- Routine monitoring, assessment, and timely supplementation are key to managing neonatal weight loss.
- Effective management protocols can limit excess weight loss and prevent complications.
Background:
Neonatal weight loss is universally recognized, yet poorly understood. Limited professional consensus exists on the definition of lower limit of safe weight loss.
Objective:
Our aim was to assess the extent of neonatal weight loss and its association with selected clinical variables in a population of healthy term infants cared for using a specific protocol on weight loss.
Methods:
We retrospectively considered 1003 infants consecutively admitted to the regular nursery of the Institute for Maternal and Child Health "Burlo Garofolo" (Trieste, Italy). We studied the relationship of selected variables with neonatal weight loss recorded during the hospital stay. We also analyzed all readmissions in the first month of life as a result of weight loss and its complications.
Results:
We observed a mean absolute weight loss of 228 g ± 83g, and a mean percent weight loss of 6.7% ± 2.2%. Weight loss ≥ 10% and > 12% were 6% and 0.3%, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression, cesarean section, hot season, any formula feeding, and jaundice not requiring phototherapy were independently associated with neonatal weight loss ≥ 8%. Conversely, low gestational age status was associated with lower weight loss. Readmission within the first month of life because of dehydration occurred in 0.3% of infants.
Conclusions:
Breastfeeding, compared to formula feeding, may not be a risk factor for greater early neonatal weight loss, at least in contexts in which weight is routinely monitored, breastfeeding is repeatedly assessed and appropriately supported, and careful supplementation is prescribed to limit and promptly treat excess weight loss and its related complications.
