What should I do if my newborn's physical examination reveals slow weight gain?

Newborns found to have slow weight gain during physical examination can be intervened through adjusting feeding methods, investigating disease factors, monitoring growth curves, supplementing nutrients, and seeking medical evaluation. Slow weight gain may be related to factors such as inadequate feeding, absorption disorders, metabolic abnormalities, infections, and congenital diseases.

1. Adjust feeding method

breastfeeding should ensure effective sucking time and correct breastfeeding posture. Breastfeeding should be done 8-12 times a day, with one breast sucking for 15-20 minutes each time. Formula milk feeding should be adjusted for milk volume and concentration based on age. Newborns aged 0-1 month need 480-720 milliliters per day, fed every 3 hours. After feeding, burp should be taken to prevent spitting milk, and daily intake should be recorded. If the intake is consistently insufficient, consult a doctor to add breast milk fortifiers.

2. Investigating disease factors

requires checking for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, etc., which may be related to absorption disorders such as lactose intolerance and milk protein allergy, manifested as watery stools or bloody stools. Congenital hypothyroidism may result in drowsiness, low and hoarse crying, and metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria may have a distinctive body odor. It is recommended to improve blood routine, urine screening, thyroid function testing, etc. After diagnosis, targeted treatment is needed.

3. Monitor growth curve

Use the WHO growth curve chart to continuously record weight, length, and head circumference data. If the weight percentile decreases by more than 2 major percentile lines or the weight growth rate is less than 600 grams per month, be alert. Premature infants should be corrected for age up to 2 years old, while twins should follow a special growth curve. Weigh at home at a fixed time every week, choose to be on an empty stomach in the morning, and use an electronic baby scale to accurately weigh up to 10 grams.

4. Supplementing Nutrients

Doctors may recommend adding vitamin D drops such as Star Shark Vitamin D Drops to prevent rickets, and premature infants should be treated with iron supplements such as dextran iron oral solution. Severe malnutrition can be treated with high-energy formula milk for a short period of time, and the calorie intake should be adjusted to 100-120 kcal/kg/day under the guidance of a nutritionist. Breastfeeding mothers need to ensure an additional daily calorie intake of 500 calories, supplemented with high-quality protein and calcium.

5. Medical evaluation

If the weight does not increase after adjusting feeding, or if accompanied by fever, difficulty breathing, or abnormal muscle tone, immediate medical attention is required. Pediatricians will evaluate heart murmurs, neurological signs, and perform echocardiography and genetic testing if necessary. Hospitalized children may require nasogastric feeding or intravenous nutrition support, while children with congenital heart disease need surgical correction to regain weight. Parents should record their feeding amount, frequency of urination and defecation, and mental state daily, and maintain a room temperature of 24-26 ℃ to reduce energy consumption. Wash hands strictly before coming into contact with newborns to avoid cross infection. Regular child health follow-up is recommended, and weekly weight measurements are recommended before the age of 2 months. Mothers need to maintain a happy mood, avoid dieting and weight loss during lactation, and seek help from a breast milk counselor if necessary. If dehydration symptoms such as reduced activity, indifferent reactions, and decreased urine output are found in newborns, emergency treatment is required.