Birth weight, and use of oxytocin and analgesic agents in labour in relation to neonatal jaundice.
A prospective study of 1977 babies, delivered in two district hospitals in the Northern Tablelands area of New South Wales, revealed a highly significant relationship between neonatal jaundice and birth weight in all cases of neonatal jaundice (P = 0.0001). The use of oxytocin was associated with a significant increase in the incidence of jaundice (all cases, P = 0.003; severely jaundiced babies, P = 0.05). This effect was related to the total dose of oxytocin used (P = 0.003 for all cases; P = 0.056 for severely jaundiced babies), but not to its rate of administration. No significant difference was apparent whether oxytocin was administered to initiate or to accelerate labour. The suggestion that oxytocin use is associated with delivery of immature babies is refuted. The use of analgesic agents during labour was not associated with an increased incidence of neonatal jaundice.
D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000700:Analgesics; D010121:Oxytocin