Weight loss in young infants is commonly caused by acute infection, problems with feeding, milk protein allergy, malnutrition, or failure to thrive, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pyloric stenosis, and child neglect. However, there are far more severe and life-threatening etiologies of weight loss in infants which will be discussed in the following article. Severe dehydration Excessive fluid loss from acute gastroenteritis can be a cause of severe dehydration and consequently weight loss in infants.
Common clinical presentations of such patients include acute onset of diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and decreased feeding. Blood or mucous in the stool or rice water stool indicates bacterial enteritis or cholera, respectively. Dehydration may also occur due to some other reasons as follows: Acute infections (eg, pneumonia, sepsis, urinary tract infection) Conditions causing decreased intake…
