I was asked a question today that I cannot answer.  I am not sure there is
an answer but I thought if anyone would know, it would be the folks on this
list.

I saw baby on day 13.  The baby looked awful, 14% below birth weight.  Mom
reported feeding baby every two hours but position was very bad and latch
was worse.  Baby's suck was non-rhythmic on digital exam and baby would not
drop her tongue at the back of her mouth to keep the nipple in proper
position.  No stool since day 10, urine was strong smelling, and none in 4
hours prior to consult.  Baby in cloth so mom did not miss wet diapers.
Baby was as yellow as a pumpkin.  Baby was unable to manage the bare breast
and mom will not use a bottle and baby was put to breast with a shield.
Baby took over an ounce with shield and breast compression and we pumped
5-oz more.  Baby went home to be put on photo therapy, feeding q2h.

Saw baby today, weight up 2.2-oz, skin much moister and not as yellow.  Then
came the question....Mom wanted to know if the feeding problems/dehydration
caused brain damage to her child.  I told her that getting breast milk in
the baby was the best thing she could do for this baby right now.  She was
insistent that I answer the question if there could have been brain damage.
I side-stepped repeatedly because I did not know.  Is this a question with
an answer?

Linda Pohl, IBCLC
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Phoenix & Mesa, Arizona