Some effects of starvation in infants:

Increased enterohepatic reuptake of bilirubin (more bilirubin re-enters 
the bloodstream from the intestine, and has to be congugated again).
Decreased ability of the liver to keep up with producing albumin (blood 
proteins which hold water in the bloodstream and keep it out of the 
tissues, and carry bilirubin so that it is not free to enter the brain, 
etc). This and the above make kernicturus more likely (with lifelong 
severe cerebral palsy). With severe weight loss, babies get significant 
liver dysfunction, because it's not getting the protein  fuel it needs 
to continue operations.
Reduction in energy provided to high energy need tissues, such as the 
brain and heart. We are concerned about the ability of the brain to 
handle calorie restriction in infancy without having a reduced capacity.
Stunting of growth due to shift of resources to the critical tissues.
Energy conservation mode decreases the baby's activity and interaction 
with the environment, and reduces opportunities for learning.

We do all we can to help babies gain robustly. Remember that banked 
human milk is a viable option for babies whose moms can't make enough 
initially.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC

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