Critical weight loss and malnutrition in breast-fed infants
O. F. Roddey Jr, E. S. Martin and R. L. Swetenburg
In four infants of primiparous mothers, critical dehydration, hypothermia,
and azotemia developed while they were being breast-fed exclusively. Three
had significant hypernatremia, one had a perforated duodenal ulcer, and one
had transient renal failure. Although the causes of the inadequate
nutrition are unclear, these cases emphasize the necessity of close
follow-up for breast-fed babies, especially those of primiparous mothers
and those in whom there has been excessive weight loss while in the
hospital.
