Early Weight Loss in Exclusively Breastfed Term Neonates

Background There are conflicting results about what is ‘normal’ weight loss in healthy term newborns and thus, when interventions, such as supplementary feeding, should be considered. Research Aim The current study aimed at assessing issues affecting weight loss in the early neonatal period and explaining any connections with related factors. Methods A prospective descriptive study was conducted on 3254 full-term, singleton newborns born at > 37 gestational weeks at a 3rd-level neonatal center in 2016. Results All newborns were exclusively breastfed, 758 delivered vaginally and 670 by cesarean section, making a total of 1428 newborns were weighed. Early mean weight-loss percentages were identified as 4.23% vs. 4.29%, 4.23% vs. 4.29%, 5.88% vs. 6.65%, and 4.80% vs. 6.32% in Turkish and Syrian infants, respectively, measured at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours of age. For gender evaluation, the early mean weight-loss percentage was 1.80% vs. 2.22%, 4.02% vs. 4.47%, 6.11% vs. 5.94%, and 5.86% vs. 5.68%, measured at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours of age. There was no difference in weight loss according to nationality or gender between the groups. For the delivery method, there was a statistical significant difference at 24 hours, 3.88 vs. 4.59, and at 30 hours, 4.07 vs. 5.58. Conclusions In healthy term newborns, ethnicity and gender differences did not affect weight loss. Newborns delivered vaginally had their maximal weight loss after 42 hours as opposed to 72 hours for the ones born by cesarean section. Being aware of the delayed rate of dehydration can prevent complications and unnecessary supplementation.