Incidence of dehydration and hypernatremia in exclusively breast-fed infants.
J Pediatr
; 139(5): 673-5, 2001 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11713445
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To verify in exclusively breast-fed, term infants the incidence of hypernatremic dehydration and identify possible maternal and/or infant factors that interfere with successful breast-feeding. STUDYDESIGN:
We prospectively included all healthy breast-fed neonates referred to our Neonatology Unit between October 1999 and March 2000. All neonates with a weight loss > or = 10% of birth weight had a breast-feeding test and a determination of serum sodium, urea, and base excess. Student t test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis of the data.RESULTS:
Of 686 neonates, 53 (7.7%) had a weight loss > or = 10% of the birth weight, and 19 also had hypernatremia. These 53 neonates had a significantly higher incidence of caesarean delivery and lower maternal education than neonates with a weight loss < 10%.CONCLUSION:
Our prospective study demonstrates that a weight loss > or = 10% during the first days of life is frequent. Daily weight evaluation, careful breast-feeding assessment, and early routine postpartum follow-up are effective methods to prevent hypernatremic dehydration and promote breast-feeding.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Breast Feeding
/
Dehydration
/
Hypernatremia
Type of study:
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Humans
/
Newborn
Language:
En
Journal:
J Pediatr
Year:
2001
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy