The Pattern Of Weight Gain Of Preterm Infants At Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

The pattern of weight gain of preterm infants at the Newborn Unit of Kenyatta National Hospital has been studied. 61 preterm infants weighing between 1001 grams and 1750 grams had serial weights recorded during their stay in the Newborn Unit. The rates of weight gain, after regaining of birth weight were,

20.0 gjday (1001 - 1250 grams), 20.4 g/day, (1251 - 1500 grams), and 20.2 g/day, (1501 - 1750 grams). When calculated as a function of the birth weight these • were 0.127, 0.104, 0.087, respectively. These rates were lower than the 24 g/day found in studies in the U.S.A. The rate of weight gain, percentage of initial weight loss, duration to attain 2000 grams weight, were all inversely proportional to the birth weight.

?he quality and quantity of the breast milk fed to the babies, unrecognised subtle illnesses, and inadequate temperature control were thought to be the main contributing factors to the observed lower rate of weight gain. Formulae for predicting wei.qth; curve for preterm infants have been worked out from the study data.