Patterns of postnatal weight gain and its predictors among preterm very low birth weight neonates born in Bahir-Dar city public hospitals, 2022: A cross sectional study

The postnatal weight gain reported in this study was low as compared to the national figure. Mode of delivery, birth z-score, initiation time of the first feeding, and respiratory distress syndrome were associated with postnatal weight gain. The Federal Ministry of Health, stakeholders, national neonatal associations, and non-governmental organizations should work collaboratively to promote vaginal delivery and early initiation of feeding and develop guidelines specifically tailored for this special population. Furthermore, healthcare providers should prioritize and focus on neonates who have respiratory distress and low Z-scores.