POST NATAL WEIGHT PATTERNS IN HEALTHY NEONATES

A Term Neonate normally loses 10-12% of body weight in the 1st week of life as a result of excess extravascular fluids and limited nutritional intake. Neonates regain or excess birth weight by 2 weeks of age and should grow approximately 30g/day in the 1st month. There are several factors which cause excessive weight loss for example 1.LSCS delivery, Inadequate Breast feeding, Higher Maternal Age, Primiparity, Maternal diabetes Mellitus, etc.

Factors which cause lesser weight loss are - IUGR babies, Formula feeds, Post term Pregnancy.   Aim- To study Post natal weight patterns in term healthy breastfed neonates.Primary objectives are - 1. To study weight patterns from birth till discharge & 2.  to study weight patterns of term healthy neonates with excessive loss at follow up. Secondary objectives is to study factors affecting weight patterns in neonates during hospital stay. Justification of study-1.- to study weight patterns of neonates in coastal areas post birth. 2. To identify factors which causes excessive weight loss. 3. To identify whether excessive weight loss during hospital stay is associated with poor weight gain during follow up. Sample size is 254 according to formula Lemeshow et all 1990.