Our objective was to evaluate the extent of weight loss in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants and to discover how weight loss and other variables correlate with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We conducted an observational study of 387 VLBW preterms, gestational age (GA) < 33 weeks, in a single institution over a period of 5 years. The mean weight loss of AGA infants was significantly greater than that of SGA infants. In AGA infants, GA, z-score, weight loss, and male sex were found to correlate with BPD. After adjustments were made for GA and birth weight, each 10% loss of body weight increased the risk for developing BPD by a factor of 2.7. We concluded that excessive weight loss does not prevent BPD in VLBW preterms and presumably should be prevented. Controlled fluid restriction resulting in milder weight loss is probably the right choice.