Factors Influencing Neonatal Jaundice

Abstract

Over a 2-year period 2,468 hospital-delivered infants were examined for jaundice, known cases of hemolytic disease being excluded. The incidence of clinical and severe (bilirubin over 12 mg/100 ml) jaundice was assessed according to gestation, birth weight and length. Pre-eclamptic toxemia, advancing maternal age and post-maturity significantly reduced the incidence of jaundice. Factors increasing jaundice included a history of a previously jaundiced sibling, antepartum hemorrhage, maternal diabetes, asphyxia, cyanosis and respiratory distress. Drugs, twins, use of incubators, oxygen administration and delay in feeding showed little or no effect on the incidence of jaundice.