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The Impact of Breast-Feeding on Early Neonatal Jaundice

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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of breast-feeding promotion on the incidence of hyper-bilirubinemia, on peak bilirubin level and on mean days of hospitalization. Study Design: The study population consisted of 1273 healthy full-term newborns born before and after the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Program was launched in July 2000. The relationship between breast-feeding and the inci-dence of hyperbilirubinemia (bilirubin level >12.9 mg/dL), body weight(BW) loss ratio, mean hospital days, bilirubin level on the third or fourth day, peak bilirubin level and mean days of phototherapy were analyzed. Results: The rate of breast-feeding during hospitalization was increased from 92.18% to 97.15% after implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Program. The incidence of hyperbilirubinemia among newborns born after the Program also increased from 10.88% to 23.77%. There was a significant association between monthly rates of breast-feeding and the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia, BW loss ratio, the bilirubin level on the third or fourth day, the peak bilirubin level, the mean hospital days, the mean days of phototherapy, as well as the frequencies of urination and defecation. Maximum BW loss day after birth, BW loss ratio and breast-feeding were the most significant factors related to hyperbilirubinemia. Conclusions: After the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Program was launched, the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia increased. This result may be due to increased weight loss caused by improper breast-feeding. Increased weight loss and breast-feeding were found to be associated with an increase in the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia, the bilirubin level on the third or fourth day, the mean days of hospitalization and phototherapy. Although breast-feeding remains the single best choice for infants and parents, jaundice and prolonged hospitalization related to improper breast-feeding should be kept in mind by medical personnel. (Clinical Neonatology 2008;15:31-35) Neonatal jaundice remains the most common problem in full-term infants in the nursery, especially in Asia. Prior studies have shown that the incidence of hyper-bilirubinemia in full-term newborns in the first week of life ranges from 4.8% to 15.5% [1-4]. However, there is still much controversy over the role of breast-feeding in the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia and its effect on peak bilirubin level [1-8]. After increased promotion of breast-feeding in Taiwan, the incidence of neonatal hy-perbilirubinemia during the first week of life seemed to be increasing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of breast-feeding promotion on the incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, on peak bilirubin level and on mean days of hospitalization.
YY Lin, PN Tsao, WS Hsieh, et al
31 Clinical Neonatology 2008 Vol. 15 No.1
The Impact of Breast-Feeding on Early Neonatal
Jaundice
Yi-Ying Lin1,2,3, Po-Nien Tsao1, Wu-Shiun Hsieh1, Chien-Yi Chen1, Hung-Chieh Chou1
Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of breast-feeding promotion on the incidence of hyper-
bilirubinemia, on peak bilirubin level and on mean days of hospitalization.
Study Design: The study population consisted of 1273 healthy full-term newborns born before and after the Baby
Friendly Hospital Initiative Program was launched in July 2000. The relationship between breast-feeding and the inci-
dence of hyperbilirubinemia (bilirubin level >12.9 mg/dL), body weight(BW) loss ratio, mean hospital days, bilirubin
level on the third or fourth day, peak bilirubin level and mean days of phototherapy were analyzed.
Results: The rate of breast-feeding during hospitalization was increased from 92.18% to 97.15% after implementation
of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Program. The incidence of hyperbilirubinemia among newborns born after the
Program also increased from 10.88% to 23.77%. There was a significant association between monthly rates of
breast-feeding and the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia, BW loss ratio, the bilirubin level on the third or fourth day, the
peak bilirubin level, the mean hospital days, the mean days of phototherapy, as well as the frequencies of urination and
defecation. Maximum BW loss day after birth, BW loss ratio and breast-feeding were the most significant factors related
to hyperbilirubinemia.
Conclusions: After the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Program was launched, the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia
increased. This result may be due to increased weight loss caused by improper breast-feeding. Increased weight loss
and breast-feeding were found to be associated with an increase in the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia, the bilirubin
level on the third or fourth day, the mean days of hospitalization and phototherapy. Although breast-feeding remains the
single best choice for infants and parents, jaundice and prolonged hospitalization related to improper breast-feeding
should be kept in mind by medical personnel. (Clinical Neonatology 2008;15:31-35)
Key Words: bilirubin, breast-feeding, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Program
Neonatal jaundice remains the most common problem in
full-term infants in the nursery, especially in Asia. Prior
studies have shown that the incidence of hyper-
bilirubinemia in full-term newborns in the first week of
life ranges from 4.8% to 15.5% [1-4]. However, there is
still much controversy over the role of breast-feeding in
the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia and its effect on
peak bilirubin level [1-8]. After increased promotion of
breast-feeding in Taiwan, the incidence of neonatal hy-
perbilirubinemia during the first week of life seemed to
be increasing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the
impact of breast-feeding promotion on the incidence of
neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, on peak bilirubin level and
on mean days of hospitalization.
Materials And Methods
In Taiwan, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Program
was launched in July 2000. Mothers are encouraged to
nurse their babies when they were hungry and were told
not to limit the frequency or length of nursing. Supple-
mentation with infant formula was given only when the
babies cried even after breast-feeding or at the request of
the family.
A total of 3107 neonates were born in our institution
before (from July 1 to December 31, 1999) and after
(from July 1 to December 31, 2001) the Baby Friendly
Hospital Initiative Program was initiated. Babies with a
positive Coombs’ test, an elevated reticulocyte count,
1Departments of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University
Hospital and National Taiwan University College of
Medicine, Taipei 2Departments of Pediatrics, Taipei Hos-
pital, Department of Health 3Departments of Pediatrics,
Kinmen Hospital, Department of Health, Taiwan
Received: October 5, 2007
Accepted: April 24, 2008
Reprint Requests to: Dr. Hung-Chieh Chou, Depart
ment
of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital,
No.7,
Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Breast-Feeding and Neonatal Jaundice
Clinical Neonatology 2008 Vol. 15 No.1
32
cephalohematoma, subgaleal hemorrhage, ecchymoses, a
major anomaly, jaundice occurring within the first day of
life, infection and maternal diabetes were all excluded. A
total of 1273 healthy, full-term newborns were enrolled
under the following criteria: uncomplicated vaginal de-
livery, birth weight >2500 gm, gestational age >37 weeks
and Apgar score >7 at 1 minute.
The clinical and laboratory data, including body
weight (BW), gestational age (GA), Apgar score, mater-
nal age, type and amount of feeding, bilirubin level, as
well as the frequencies of urination and defecation, were
extracted from the baby’s charts. All infants were
weighted naked each morning before feeding. Heel-stick
blood was obtained in the morning of the third or fourth
hospital day or at indicated times for microbilirubin level,
hematocrit and newborn screening. Microbilirubin level
was measured by direct spectrophotometry of the serum
in a microhematocrit tube (Leica Unistat bilirubinometer,
Wetzlar, Germany). If the microbilirubin level was <12.9
mg/dL, the babies were discharged and followed up at
our outpatient department. Otherwise, the babies were
kept in the nursery for observation until the micro-
bilirubin level falls below 12.9 mg/dL. According to our
neonatal care guidelines, the babies will be admitted to
the neonatal observation room (NOR) and receive pho-
totherapy if the microbilirubin level was >12 mg/dL on
the second day of life or >15 mg/dL on or after the third
day of life. When the bilirubin level was >17 mg/dL, the
following additional investigations were performed:
blood smear for RBC morphology, complete blood cell
count, reticulocyte count, Coombs’ test and blood typing.
The relationship between the monthly rate of
breast-feeding and the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia
(bilirubin level >12.9 mg/dL), BW loss ratio, mean hos-
pital days, the bilirubin level on the third or fourth day,
the peak bilirubin level and the mean days of photother-
apy were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Statistical analyses were performed using the independ-
ent samples t-test for continuous variables; otherwise the
Chi-Square test was used for categorical variables. To
quantify the relationship between clinical variables and
hyperbilirubinemia we used logistic regression analysis.
A p value below 0.05 was considered to be statistically
significant.
Results
The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the study
population are shown in Table 1. After implementation of
the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Program, the rate of
breast-feeding increased from 92.18% to 97.15% and the
incidence of hyperbilirubinemia increased from 10.88%
to 23.77%. In addition, the BW loss ratio, the bilirubin
level on the third or fourth day, the peak bilirubin level
and the mean days of hospitalization and phototherapy
all increased significantly after breast-feeding promotion
started (all p<0.001). The frequencies of urination and
defecation on the first two days of life also decreased
significantly (p<0.001).
Table 1. Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics Before
and After the Start of the Baby Friendly Hos-
pital Initiative Program
Before
(n=726)
After
(n=547)
p
Male/Female 352/374 272/275 0.661
GA (weeks) 39.2
±
1.1 39.2 ± 1.1
0.841
Birth weight
(grams)
3238.1
±
346.2
3233.5
±
333.5
0.814
Maximum BW loss
day after birth
2.7 ± 0.8 2.7 ± 0.8 0.095
Maximum BW loss
ratio (%)
4.9 ± 1.7 6.0 ± 2.2 < 0.001
Maternal age (y/o) 30.9 ± 3.9 31.3 ± 4.1
0.041
Apgar score (5) 9 (8-10)+ 9 (9-9)+ 0.318
Bilirubin on 3rd or
4th day (mg/dL)
9.64
±
2.36 11.06 ± 2.58
< 0.001
Peak bilirubin day 3.4 ± 0.6 3.5 ± 0.6 0.073
Peak bilirubin
(mg/dL)
9.77
±
2.52 11.22 ± 2.74
< 0.001
Bilirubin >12.9
mg/dL baby num-
bers
79 130 < 0.001
Mean hospital days 3.8 ± 1.0 4.1 ± 1.2 < 0.001
Urination frequency
on 2nd day
6.0 ± 1.9 4.7 ± 1.8 < 0.001
Urination frequency
on 3rd day
6.8 ± 2.0 5.5 ± 1.9 < 0.001
Defecation fre-
quency on 2nd day
4.6 ± 2.4 3.8 ± 2.1 < 0.001
Defecation fre-
quency on 3rd day
4.7 ± 2.5 4.1 ± 2.1 < 0.001
Mean phototherapy
days
0.1 ± 0.6 0.3 ±0.8 < 0.001
* Data presented as mean ± SD
+ Presented as median (minimum-maximum)
YY Lin, PN Tsao, WS Hsieh, et al
33 Clinical Neonatology 2008 Vol. 15 No.1
The relationships between the clinical variables and
hyperbilirubinemia are shown in Table 2. In the group
with hyperbilirubinemia, the maximum BW loss day
after birth and BW loss ratio increased significantly
(p<0.001). The breast-feeding method also showed a
significant relationship with hyperbilirubinemia (p
0.001).
Table 2. Relationship Between Hyperbilirubinemia and
Clinical Characteristics
Peak Bilirubin
Level (mg/dL)
<12.9
(n=1064)
>12.9
(n=209)
p
Male/Female 515/549 109/100 0.321
GA (weeks) 39.2 ± 1.1 39.1 ± 1.1 0.813
Birth weight
(grams)
3233.1
±
339.6
3251.8
±
346.1
0.468
Maximum BW
loss day after birth
2.6 ± 0.7 3.0 ± 0.8 < 0.001
±
±±
±
Maximum BW
loss ratio (%)
5.2 ± 1.8 6.2 ± 2.7 0.001
±
±±
±
Maternal age (y/o)
31.1 ± 4.0 31.1 ± 3.8 0.887
Number of
Breast-fed babies
82 38 0.001
±
±±
±
Apgar score (5) 9 (9-10)+ 9 (8-9)+ 0.999
±
±±
±
Urination fre-
quency on 2nd day
5.5 ± 2.0 5.1 ± 1.8 0.748
±
±±
±
Urination fre-
quency on 3rd day
6.3 ± 2.1 6.0 ± 2.1 0.883
±
±±
±
Defecation fre-
quency on 2nd day
4.3 ± 2.3 4.0 ± 2.0 0.247
±
±±
±
Defecation fre-
quency on 3rd day
4.5 ± 2.4 4.4 ± 2.1 0.472
* Data presented as mean ± SD
+ Presented as median (minimum-maximum)
± Logistic regression
Significant positive correlations were noted between
the rate of breast-feeding and the incidence of hyper-
bilirubinemia (r = 0.810; p = 0.001), the BW loss ratio (r
= 0.872; p < 0.001), the bilirubin level on the third or
fourth day (r = 0.768; p = 0.004), the peak bilirubin level
(r = 0.765; p = 0.004), mean hospital days (r = 0.791; p =
0.002) and mean days of phototherapy (r = 0.822; p =
0.001) (Table 3). Significant negative correlations were
also noted between the rate of breast-feeding and the
frequencies of urination and defecation on the second
and third day of life (Table 3). A significant relationship
between maximal BW loss ratio and the incidence of
hyperbilirubinemia was also documented (r = 0.944; p <
0.001) (Figure 1).
Fig
FigFig
Fig.
..
. 1.
1. 1.
1. Relationship between maximum BW loss ratio
and the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia
(r = 0.944; p < 0.001)
In our study, 3.99% and 8.78% of infants had
bilirubin level >15 mg/dL before and after the Baby
Friendly Hospital Initiative Program, respectively, indi-
cating a correlation with the rate of breast-feeding (r =
0.560; p = 0.058).
Discussion
The incidence of hyperbilirubinemia in full-term new-
borns in the first week of life has been found to vary
from 4.8% to 15.5% in previous reports [1-4]. The inci-
dence of hyperbilirubinemia in our study increased from
10.88% to 23.77% after the launching of the breast-
feeding promotion program. Numerous reports have in-
dicated a striking association between breast-feeding and
hyperbilirubinemia [3,4,6,7,9-13], but this does not seem
to be universal [1,2,4,8,14]. Our study showed a strong
correlation between neonatal jaundice and breast-feed-
ing.
Several interpretations can be made of the associa-
tion of breast-feeding and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
The most likely mechanisms include dehydration, caloric
deprivation and enhancement of enterohepatic circulation.
Previous studies had documented that breast-fed infants
lose more weight in the first few days of life than for-
mula-fed infants and that there is an association between
BW loss and hyperbilirubinemia [7,12,15]. Our study
also showed that infants born after the Baby Friendly
Hospital Initiative Program was started to lose more BW,
indicating a striking positive association between maxi-
mum BW loss ratio and rate of breast-feeding.
0 5 10 1 5 20 2 5 30 35
The Incidence of Hype rbi lirubine mia (%)
7.0
6.5
6.0
5.5
5.0
4.5
Maximum BW Loss Ratio (%)
Breast-Feeding and Neonatal Jaundice
Clinical Neonatology 2008 Vol. 15 No.1
34
The effect of caloric deprivation on serum bilirubin
was first noted by Gilbert and Hershi in 1906 [16]. Later,
Barrett [17] and Felsher et al [18] have shown that fast-
ing causes a significant elevation of serum bilirubin lev-
els in both normal adults and patients with hepatic dis-
ease. After nursing and milk flow are well established,
breast-fed infants have been shown to receive fewer
calories than bottle-fed peers in the first three to five
days after birth [19]. Gartner et al documented that the
enhanced enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin is a major
factor in the pathogenesis of fasting-induced hyper-
bilirubinemia [20]. De Carvalho et al found that
breast-fed infants excrete significantly less bilirubin in
their stools and pass less stool than bottle-fed infants in
the first three days of life [21]. In this study, we also
found that BW loss ratio increased significantly after the
breast-feeding promotion was started and that there was
a significant negative correlation between frequencies of
urination and defecation and monthly rate of breast-
feeding.
In accord with previous results, early neonatal jaun-
dice was found to be associated with an increase BW
loss ratio and breast-feeding in this study. The reason for
the greater BW loss may be inadequate breast-feeding.
Proper breast-feeding is necessary to prompt a good sup-
ply of breast milk and inappropriate breast-feeding can
cause poor breast milk production and dehydration.
Skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant immedi-
ately following birth, rooming-in, anticipatory guidance
and avoidance of formula supplementation and pacifiers
are recommended to establish and maintain successful
breast-feeding [22]. Although the rate of breast-feeding
was increased in our nursery, the incidence of hyper-
bilirubinemia also increased. This may be due to an in-
appropriate sucking posture and inadequate feeding fre-
quency. Thus our efforts must be directed towards more
frequent visits to the lactating mother and closer moni-
toring of the breast-fed newborns. The evaluation should
include general health, body weight, positioning posture
during breast-feeding, jaundice and elimination fre-
quency.
We also found that the mean days of hospitalization
and phototherapy were significantly increased after the
promotion of breast-feeding. Prolonged hospitalization
maybe due to the elevated incidence of hyperbilirubine-
mia, in which case infants are kept in the nursery for
close observation or admitted to the NOR for photother-
apy. Prolonged phototherapy may be due to less effective
phototherapy when the caloric and fluid intake levels are
low [23]. Prolonged hospitalization and phototherapy
also increase medical costs, in addition to causing de-
spair and anxiety among the parents. Hence, all health-
care providers should be familiar with inappropriate
breast-feeding induced jaundice and the treatment of
breast-feeding jaundice. Moreover, we must increase our
efforts to establish and maintain successful breast-feed-
ing, including person-to-person support of the lactating
mother, skin contact between mother and infant immedi-
ately following birth, rooming-in, more frequent visiting
of the lactating mother and closer monitoring of the
breast-fed newborns; these activities will reduce the in-
cidence of hyperbilirubinemia causing by inappropriate
breast-feeding.
Conclusions
After Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Program was
launched, the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia increased.
This change may be due to increased weight loss caused
by improper breast-feeding. Increased weight loss and
breast-feeding were associated with the increase in the
incidence of hyperbilirubinemia, the bilirubin level on
the third or fourth day as well as the mean days of hospi-
talization and phototherapy. Although breast-feeding
remains the single best choice for infants and parents,
jaundice and prolonged hospitalization related to im-
proper breast-feeding should be kept in mind by medical
personnel.
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... However, new mothers may lack breastfeeding skills to increase milk volume, which often leads to clinically insufficient milk intake in newborns. This can result in weight loss and increased hospitalization rates due to hyperbilirubinemia (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). ...
... Following implementation of the BFHI program, the breastfeeding rate at a Taiwan medical center increased from 92.18 to 97.15%. A corresponding increase in cases of hyperbilirubinemia (10.88 to 23.77%) was also observed due to weight loss and improper breastfeeding (2). Risk factors for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia include polycythemia, neonatal hemolytic disease, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and exclusive breastfeeding (1,10). ...
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... Baby Friendly designation and the accompanying Ten Steps to Successful Breast feeding has been used by multiple hospital systems to improve rates of breastfeeding [5,6] despite some literature suggesting a lack of efficacy for this program in sustaining breastfeeding [7]. The Baby Friendly Initiative has the potential to improve breast feeding and overall health but has been reported to have some unintended consequences including readmission for hyperbilirubinemia [8] and may change outcomes for some babies by deemphasizing formula feeding and supplementation during the initial hospital stay [9]. While breast feeding will improve both long-and short-term health, exclusively breastfed infants are also at increased risk for excessive weight loss, dehydration, and hyperbilirubinemia in the immediate newborn period. ...
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BACKGROUND: The baby’s delay in getting nutrition in the form of breast milk caused direct bilirubin that has reached the intestines not being bound by food and not taken out through the anus with food. In the intestine, this direct bilirubin is converted into indirect bilirubin which will be reabsorbed into the blood and this condition will cause a persistence hyperbilirubinemia condition. Hyperbilirubinemia becomes an emergency that often occurs in newborns and is characterized by the occurrence of neonatal icterus. AIM: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of breast milk management on the reduction of bilirubin levels in neonatal jaundiced infants that receive phototherapy. METHODS: The design of this study used a quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. Sampling was done by consecutive sampling and obtained 52 respondents. This research was conducted for 4 months from April 2021 to July 2021 at the Surabaya Ahmad Yani Islamic Hospital. This study was divided into two groups, namely, the intervention group which was given phototherapy therapy by maximizing breast milk management and the control group only undergoing phototherapy. Data analysis in this study used Chi-square test for univariate variables and bivariate variables using paired t-test and independent t-test. CONCLUSIONS: Good lactation management will have a major effect on bilirubin levels in infants receiving phototherapy. Hence, there needs a motivation for the parents, especially mothers, in exclusive breastfeeding without adding formula milk or using any breast milk substitutes so that the length of care for babies with neonatal icterus is faster and the baby’s nutrition can be fulfilled in a balanced way.
... In Since many years ago, our hospital has been promoting the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, our experience; many mothers have concerns about breast-feeding, including breast-milk insufficiency, decreased infant urination, poor body weight gain, and jaundice". (5) Baby-Friendly practices are based on the foundation that individual attitudes toward breastfeeding are largely influenced by breastfeeding education during the early prenatal period, positive birth and initial breastfeeding experiences, and continued provider support (6) . ...
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Jaundice is the greatest common situation that needs medicinal care in neonates, which present as yellow coloration of the skin and sclera related to accumulation of unconjugated bilirubin which was considered a neurotoxic to cause brain death (Kernicterus). The Aim of this study to identify the effect of successful breast feeding on neonatal hyperbillirubinemia. Material & method: Design a descriptive design was conducted through a period of study .The sample & setting: were taken accidentally from (250) mothers who had children under one year from practicing breast feeding from Babel maternity and pediatric hospital. Data collection were collected through structured interview and application of the questionnaire with mothers regarding their early achievement of breast fed their jaundiced .Self-administered instrument which takes about 30 minutes. Data analysis: data analyzed the equal number of mother's age were (43.2%) who were aged (26-31) ,with majority (47.2%) of the sample were not educated , therefore that (92.0%) were not working. The researchers recommend educational booklets construction concerning the ten steps of successful breast feeding.
... In Since many years ago, our hospital has been promoting the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, our experience; many mothers have concerns about breast-feeding, including breast-milk insufficiency, decreased infant urination, poor body weight gain, and jaundice". (5) Baby-Friendly practices are based on the foundation that individual attitudes toward breastfeeding are largely influenced by breastfeeding education during the early prenatal period, positive birth and initial breastfeeding experiences, and continued provider support (6) . ...
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Jaundice is the greatest common situation that needs medicinal care in neonates, which present as yellow coloration of the skin and sclera related to accumulation of unconjugated bilirubin which was considered a neurotoxic to cause brain death (Kernicterus). The Aim of this study to identify the effect of successful breast feeding on neonatal hyperbillirubinemia. Material & method: Design a descriptive design was conducted through a period of study .The sample & setting: were taken accidentally from (250) mothers who had children under one year from practicing breast feeding from Babel maternity and pediatric hospital. Data collection were collected through structured interview and application of the questionnaire with mothers regarding their early achievement of breast fed their jaundiced .Self-administered instrument which takes about 30 minutes. Data analysis: data analyzed the equal number of mother's age were (43.2%) who were aged (26-31) ,with majority (47.2%) of the sample were not educated , therefore that (92.0%) were not working. The researchers recommend educational booklets construction concerning the ten steps of successful breast feeding.
... Hyperbilirubinemia can be aggravated by lactation failure, but it also occurs in the presence of successful lactation 14,15 . It is due to dehydration, caloric deprivation and enhanced enter hepatic circulation 16,17 . In the present study all the infants who were exclusively on breast feeding and were associated with elevated serum total bilirubin levels. ...
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... This finding confirms previous results that Nigerian mothers have good knowledge of EBF24252635] . In consonance with literature on knowledge about breastfeeding, most of the mothers in this study agrees that breastfeeding promotes mother-baby bonding [36,37] , frequent breastfeeding in the early period can help reduce jaundice [38,39], and that growth pattern of breastfed infants differ from those of formula fed404142. The mothers in this study consider three month maternity leave duration as insufficient to encourage EBF and advocated for policies on longer leave for new mothers and availability of designated child care centers at workplaces to facilitate successful breastfeeding. ...
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Background: Information about maternal knowledge and attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice is consequential to the actualization of the goals of the baby-friendly initiative and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5. This paper assessed the current knowledge and attitude of EBF practices among nursing mothers attending a health facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional descriptive design. One hundred and twenty (120) nursing mothers attending the Isheri Olofin Primary Health Centre (IOPHC) and currently breastfeeding children between 0-24 months were interviewed. A pre-tested questionnaire that elicits information on maternal socio-demographic characteristics, child index, 24-point knowledge scale, 30-point attitude scale, and 12-point practice scale of EBF was employed. Data was analysed using descriptive, Chi-square, and adjusted odd ratios (aORs) generated from a logistic regression model. Results: About 89.2% of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge, while 81.7% depicted a positive attitude. All respondents (100%) had heard about EBF. About 86.7% believed that EBF is only adequate in the first six months of a newborn baby. Respondents with good knowledge of EBF were 3 folds more likely to have good EBF practice than those with poor knowledge (aOR=3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74, 9.52), while those with a positive attitude towards EBF were twice as likely to have good EBF practice than those with a negative attitude (aOR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.16, 5.73). Conclusion: Respondents had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards EBF practice. The study also affirmed a strong relationship between maternal EBF knowledge and attitude and current practice among the respondents. Highlights: Respondents exhibited good knowledge and a positive attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice. Respondents initiated breastfeeding within 24hrs of birth and fed their infants with colostrum. Current practices have a significant relationship with maternal EBF knowledge and maternal attitude.
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I have reviewed clinical trials that provide data relative to the comparative rates, means, or odds ratio of jaundiced normal breast-fed newborns vs jaundiced normal formula-fed newborns. A pooled analysis of 12 studies revealed moderate jaundice (serum bilirubin level, ≥12 mg/dL) in 514 of 3,997 breast-fed vs 172 of 4,255 formula-fed newborns. An analysis of six of these 12 studies demonstrated severe jaundice (serum bilirubin level, ≥15 mg/dL) in 54 of 2,655 breast-fed vs ten of 3,002 formula-fed newborns. Eleven of 13 studies found breast-fed newborns to have a higher mean serum bilirubin level. One study of 12,023 newborns found a significant (odds ratio, 1.80) relationship between breast-feeding and jaundice of the newborn. In conclusion, breast-feeding is one common cause of jaundice in normal newborns in the first week of life and beyond. (JAMA 1986;255:3270-3274)
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The influence of fluid and caloric intake on neonatal jaundice and efficacy of phototherapy was evaluated. Results indicate that overall, higher fluid and caloric intake were associated with lower daily mean serum bilirubin level in both phototherapy-treated and control infants. This association was stronger with increased calories than with increased fluids, and primarily was dependent on oral caloric intake. The inverse correlation between oral caloric intake and serum bilirubin level was more marked in infants in the lowest birth group (< 2,000 g) in which phototherapy was used to prevent hyperbilirubinemia. The caloric effect was less evident in infants in the higher birth weight groups and when phototherapy was used to treat established hyperbilirubinemia.
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A retrospective study of 233 consecutively born full-term infants was performed to determine the effect of several variables on the development of hyperbilirubinemia. Thirty-five (15%) of the infants developed peak bilirubin levels greater than 12 mg/dl in the first week of life. Step wise multiple regression analysis revealed that breast-feeding was the most predictive of a group of eight variables for the development of hyperbilirubinemia greater than 12 mg/dl. The correlation between type of feeding and hyperbilirubinemia was significant (p < 0.02). None of the other factors evaluated was significantly associated with hyperbilirubinemia. Breast-fed infants also were found to have a significantly higher incidence of hyperbilirubinemia greater than 15 mg/dl; 12 of 101 (12%) infants compared with 2 of 117 (2%) formula-fed infants (p < 0.002). This group of infants accounted for the increased incidence of hyperbilirubinemia greater than 12 mg/dl in breast-fed infants. There was no significant correlation between weight loss and development of hyperbilirubinemia in the breast-fed infants.