Was reading yet another article about the septuplets this morning in the
paper.  I have had very little experience with premature babies, and
almost none in the hospital setting.  Here is a quote from the
article..."The babies have lost 5 percent to 10 percent of their body
weight since their Caesarean birth on Wednesday and that is a good sign
(Dr Shaw said).  That would indicate to us that the kidneys are
functioning well, that theyre getting their share of circulation
necessary to perform their job."  Does this mean that this type of weight
loss is looked for as a way of proving that the kidneys are working and
eliminating fluids from the bady?  Do premies normally have that much
extra fluid on board at birth? How does it compare with full-term babes?
Just wondering with what's left of my brain after a busy night's work in
the lab, especially in light of our recent discussion of acceptable
weight loss after birth.

Sharon Knorr
Lactation Consultant Services
Rochester, New York
mailto:[log in to unmask]