Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed.. Published Online First: 22 May 2006. doi:10.1136/adc.2005.091876
Original articles |
Accuracy and precision of test weighing to assess milk intake in newborn infants
1 Princess Amalia Children's Clinic, Isala klinieken, Zwolle, Netherlands
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: p.l.p.brand{at}isala.nl.
Accepted 9 May 2006
Abstract
Objective: To assess accuracy and precision of test weighing to estimate the amount of milk intake in newborn infants.
Study design: 94 newborn infants fed by bottle, cup, or nasogastric tube, were weighed before and immediately after feeding by a blinded investigator. Actual milk intake was determined by reading the ml scale of the milk container before and after feeding. The accuracy and precision of test weighing was assessed by examining the frequency distribution of the difference between weight change and actual milk intake. Weighing performance of the scale was assessed by calculating the standard deviation (SD) of repeated weighing standard weights of 1.5 and 4 kg.
Results: The mean difference between weight change and actual milk intake (accuracy) was 1.3 ml, with 95% of differences ranging from -12.4 to 15 ml (precision). The maximum difference was 30 ml. This difference was not influenced by the presence of monitor or oxygen saturation wires, intravenous lines, or vomiting of the infant. The maximal SD of repeated weighings was 0.97 g.
Conclusions: Test weighing is too imprecise to be clinically useful in newborn infants. Infant weighing scales are not sensitive enough to pick up small changes in infants' weight after feeding.
Keywords: breastfeeding, newborn infant, test weighing
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