North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

By what percentage might newborns normally lose of their birth weight during the first 3-5 days of life?

1. 2-4 percent

2. 5-10 percent

3. 10-15 percent

4. 15-20 percent

The correct answer is: 5-10 percent

Newborns typically experience a normal physiological weight loss after birth due to various factors such as fluid loss, meconium passage, and the transition to extrauterine life. It is commonly accepted that most newborns can lose approximately 5-10 percent of their birth weight during the first 3-5 days of life. This range is considered a standard guideline in neonatal care. Weight loss within this percentage is generally seen as normal, and health professionals closely monitor newborns to ensure that the weight loss does not exceed this range, as excessive weight loss could indicate feeding issues or other concerns that may require intervention. Beyond this normative range, larger percentages could signal potential health problems, while less weight loss is typically viewed as within normal limits for most newborns adapting to life outside the womb.