Newborn weight doubled at the age of?

Appeared in: BSF Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

A healthy, full-term infant is expected to double their birth weight by approximately 5 to 6 months of age.
This milestone is a critical indicator of the infant's nutritional status and overall health.
For instance, an infant born weighing 3 kg should weigh around 6 kg by 6 months.
This rapid weight gain in the first six months is faster than at any other period after birth.

Option B: At 12 months (1 year), an infant's birth weight is expected to triple, not double.
Option C: 18 months is not a standard milestone for doubling, tripling, or quadrupling birth weight. The rate of weight gain slows significantly after the first year.
Option D: At 24 months (2 years), an infant's birth weight is expected to have quadrupled (increased four times).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Infant Growth Milestones: Weight Gain as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Monitoring an infant's weight against standard growth charts is a fundamental nursing responsibility to assess nutritional status, growth, and overall development.
Failure to meet these weight milestones can be an early indicator of 'failure to thrive,' feeding problems, underlying illness, or metabolic disorders, requiring further investigation.
What if? If an infant has not doubled their birth weight by 8 months, it is a significant clinical concern. The nurse should conduct a thorough assessment of feeding practices, calculate caloric intake, and screen for potential health issues.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of standard pediatric growth milestones.
First, identify the key parameter in the question, which is 'newborn weight doubled'.
Recall the standard rules for infant weight gain: weight doubles by 5-6 months, triples by 1 year, and quadruples by 2 years.
Scan the options to find the one that matches the 'doubling' milestone.
Select '6 months' as it is the standard timeframe provided in the options for birth weight to double.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q27rYkxmm9XGaJG5aHOeA7

E6 Nutrition Kumud Khanna 2e p. 109-111

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 10-12

E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 1 Part 3 p. 15-17

Practise the full BSF Staff Nurse - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.