Special Situations in the NICU

Abstract

1. Total body water decreases significantly throughout gestation and the first year of life from 95 to 60\%. 2. Postnatal weight loss in the first week of life is physiologically normal in all gestational ages. 3. Mature renal function is not achieved until approximately 2 years of life. 4. Gestational age is the major factor in the degree of insensible water loss due to transepidermal water loss, respiratory loss, and urinary losses. 5. Thermoregulation of newborns decreases morbidity and mortality.