Postnatal weight gain of exclusively breast fed preterm African infants.

The weight of 64 preterm appropriate for gestational age infants were followed closely during the period of stay in the newborn unit. They were subdivided into three groups: A (1001-1250 g), B (1250-1500 g), and C (1501-1750 g). The mean gestation for these groups were 28.7, 30.5, and 31 weeks, respectively, while mean birth weights were 1132 +/- 81.7 g, 1377 +/- 85.6 g, and 1641 +/- 88.6 g. All were fed their own mothers breast milk during the period of study with no supplements. During the first week, there was significant weight loss in all groups as follows: A (12.0 per cent), B (7.7 per cent), and C (4.4 per cent). Thereafter, only group A lost weight in the second week, but the loss was not significant. Birth weights were regained at 23, 16, and 15 days, respectively. The weight gain after the initial loss was A (20.0 g), B (20.4 g), and C (20.2 g) per day. Group A had the fastest growth rate.