title: Factors affecting neonatal jaundice.
abstract: Plasma bilirubin was estimated on 690 term infants on about the 6th day of life. Perinatal factors were recorded and the results analysed. Hyperbilirubinaemia was defined as a level greater than 205 micromol/1 (12 mg/100 ml) and this was present in 20% of cases. Three factors--epidural analgesia, breast feeding, and poor weight recovery--showed highly significant associations with jaundice. The relative importance of these is discussed and compared with recent reports. Induction of labour, for reasons other than postmaturity, and a gestational age less than 39 weeks showed a slightly increased incidence of jaundice. There was no correlation with other factors tested including oxytocic drug administration. Despite the high incidence (20%) of hyperbilirubinaemia, only 2.5% infants needed treatment and none required exchange transfusion. Radical changes in obstetric management or infant feeding are not indicated.
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000209:etiology*; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin