Abstract / Summary
Background: Early neonatal weight loss is a physiological phenomenon associated with fluid loss, establishment ofbreastfeeding, and maternal and neonatal factors. Excessive weight loss may indicate inadequate breastfeeding and increasethe risk of neonatal complications. This study evaluated the pattern of early weight loss among exclusively breastfed termneonates and compared weight changes according to mode of delivery. Materials and Methods: After approval from IEC, ahospital-based longitudinal prospective study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics at SSIMS, Junwani, Bhilai,Chhattisgarh from September 2024 to August 2026. A total of 200 term neonates with birth weight >2.5 kg who wereexclusively breastfed were included. A written informed consent was obtained from the parents or legal guardians of allparticipants. Neonatal weight was measured using the same weighing machine at birth and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after birth.Data regarding gestational age, sex, mode of delivery, timing of breastfeeding initiation, and feeding frequency wererecorded. Weight changes were compared between neonates delivered by normal vaginal delivery (NVD) and lower-segmentcesarean section (LSCS). Results: Of the 200 neonates, 100 (50%) were male and 100 (50%) were female. LSCS accountedfor 117 (58.5%) deliveries and NVD for 83 (41.5%). Breastfeeding was initiated within one hour in 113 (56.5%) neonates,while 154 (77.0%) received more than 6–8 feeds per day. Mean neonatal weight at birth was 2.97 kg in the NVD group and2.87 kg in the LSCS group. At 48 hours, mean weight was 2.99 kg in NVD and 2.85 kg in LSCS neonates (p=0.002). At 72hours, corresponding values were 2.95 kg and 2.68 kg, respectively (p=0.001). Conclusion: Neonatal weight patterns duringthe first 72 hours differed according to mode of delivery, with greater weight reduction observed among neonates deliveredby LSCS at 48 and 72 hours. Close monitoring of early neonatal weight and breastfeeding adequacy may help identifyneonates requiring additional lactation support.