Prevalence of significant weight loss and hypernatremia in breast feeding jaundice infants readmitted to Phramongkutklao Hospital within 1 month of age.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice, especially breast feeding jaundice is the most common cause of neonatal re-admission within the first month of life. Good maternal support and closed follow-up of newborn infants can promote successful breast feeding without causing any complications.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of significant weight loss and hypernatremia in infants with breast feeding jaundice readmitted to Phramongkutklao Hospital within 1 month of age.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in infants of gestational age > or = 35 weeks and birth weight > or = 2,000 grams who had breast feeding jaundice readmitted between January, 1st and December 31st, 2008. Maternal and neonatal history, laboratory result, complications and treatment were reviewed.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Rates of significant weight loss and hypernatremia were calculated. The associations between weight loss and factors, serum sodium, serum bilirubin and weight loss were analyzed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS: There were 30 infants in the study. 12 (40%) were male. The median gestational age and birth weight were 37 (35-40) weeks and 2,945 (2,100-3,810) grams, respectively. Three infants had significant weight loss more than 10% of birth weights. No infant had hyperbilirubinemia. Severity of weight loss was associated with weight loss at the time before discharge from hospital. Weight loss was not associated with gestational age, sex, parity, cesarean section, exclusive breast feeding, serum sodium level, and serum bilirubin level.

CONCLUSION: Complications of dehydration such as hypernatremia was not observed in infants with breast feeding jaundice in this study. Maternal education, serial weight measurements and awareness of breast-feeding jaundice problems are helpful strategies to promote successful breast feeding.