Toward understanding the connections between infant jaundice and infant feeding

The Lowering of Bilirubin Levels in Full-Term Newborns by the Effect of Combined Massage Therapy and Phototherapy Practice

OBJECTIVE

 Various therapeutic treatments have been prescribed for decreasing the bilirubin level. Massage therapy is one of the neonate treatments for jaundice. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of combined massage therapy and phototherapy on neonatal jaundice.

STUDY DESIGN

 This study was performed at Shahid Madani Hospital in the city of Khorramabad in 2016, where 83 healthy full-term infants were enrolled. They were selected through convenience sampling and then were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The control group (n = 43) received phototherapy, whereas infants in the intervention group (n = 40) received 4 days of massage and phototherapy. The serum bilirubin level, frequency of stooling and amount of urination, duration of hospitalization, and feeding frequency were analyzed using SPSS by descriptive and analytical statistics (mixed regression models).

RESULTS

 Baseline levels of bilirubin were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). The bilirubin level was measured as 13.4 ± 0.7 mg/dL in the intervention group on day 1. It stood at 14.4 ± 1.5 mg/dL in the control group, which was not statistically significantly different. However, the mean bilirubin level was decreased on day 4 of hospitalization to 7.4 ± 0.56 mg/dL and 9.0 ± 2.3 mg/dL, showing a significant difference decrease in the intervention and control group (p < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSION

 Intervention had a significant role in decreasing the bilirubin level, amount of urination, and duration of hospitalization of full-term infants suffering from hyperbilirubinemia.

Effect of Synbiotic on the Treatment of Jaundice in Full Term Neonates: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

Jaundice accounts for most hospital admissions in the neonatal period. Nowadays, in addition to phototherapy, other auxiliary methods are used to reduce jaundice and the length of hospitalization. This study aimed to investigate the effect of probiotics on the treatment of hyper-bilirubinemia in full-term neonates.

METHODS

In this randomized clinical trial, 83 full-term neonates, who were admitted to the hospital to receive phototherapy in the first 6 months of 2015, were randomly divided into two groups: synbiotic (SG, n=40) and control (CG, n=43). Both groups received phototherapy but the SG also received 5 drops/day of synbiotics. Serum bilirubin, urine, stool, feeding frequency, and weight were measured daily until hospital discharge. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean total serum bilirubin in the SG was lower than that in the CG (9.38±2.37 and 11.17±2.60 mg/dL, respectively). The urine and stool frequency in the SG was significantly higher than that in the CG (p<0.05). The duration of hospitalization in the SG was shorter than that in the CG.

CONCLUSION

Use of synbiotics as an adjuvant therapy had a significant treatment effect on jaundice in full-term neonates. Further studies including larger samples with long follow-up periods are essential to confirm the benefits of routine use of synbiotics in neonatal patients with jaundice.

Maternal, Infant Characteristics, Breastfeeding Techniques, and Initiation: Structural Equation Modeling Approaches

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among maternal and infant characteristics, breastfeeding techniques, and exclusive breastfeeding initiation in different modes of birth using structural equation modeling approaches.

Methods

We examined a hypothetical model based on integrating concepts of a breastfeeding decision-making model, a breastfeeding initiation model, and a social cognitive theory among 952 mother-infant dyads. The LATCH breastfeeding assessment tool was used to evaluate breastfeeding techniques and two infant feeding categories were used (exclusive and non-exclusive breastfeeding).

Results

Structural equation models (SEM) showed that multiparity was significantly positively associated with breastfeeding techniques and the jaundice of an infant was significantly negatively related to exclusive breastfeeding initiation. A multigroup analysis in the SEM showed no difference between the caesarean section and vaginal delivery groups estimates of breastfeeding techniques on exclusive breastfeeding initiation. Breastfeeding techniques were significantly positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding initiation in the entire sample and in the vaginal deliveries group. However, breastfeeding techniques were not significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding initiation in the cesarean section group. Maternal age, maternal race, gestations, birth weight of infant, and postnatal complications had no significant impacts on breastfeeding techniques or exclusive breastfeeding initiation in our study. Overall, the models fitted the data satisfactorily (GFI = 0.979–0.987; AGFI = 0.951–0.962; IFI = 0.958–0.962; CFI = 0.955–0.960, and RMSEA = 0.029–0.034).

Conclusions

Multiparity and jaundice of an infant were found to affect breastfeeding technique and exclusive breastfeeding initiation respectively. Breastfeeding technique was related to exclusive breastfeeding initiation according to the mode of birth. This relationship implies the importance of early effective interventions among first-time mothers with jaundice infants in improving breastfeeding techniques and promoting exclusive breastfeeding initiation.

Supporting breastfeeding to reduce newborn readmissions for hyperbilirubinemia

Lack of breastfeeding support can result in inadequate feedings at the breast, putting newborns at risk for hyperbilirubinemia, severe jaundice and possible hospital readmission. Nurses can help prevent readmissions for hyperbilirubinemia by becoming educated about the risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia and by implementing preventive measures through improved breastfeeding support.

Factors affecting bilirubin levels during first 48 hours of life in healthy infants

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship of delivery type, maternal anesthesia, feeding modalities, and first feeding and meconium passage times with early bilirubin levels of healthy infants.

METHODS

Cord, 24 hours' and 48 hours' total bilirubin levels were measured in 388 study infants.

RESULTS

Infants born with cesarean section were fed later and more often had mixed feeding. First meconium passage was delayed with general anesthesia. Cord, 24 and 48 hours' bilirubin levels were not correlated with first feeding time, meconium passage time, mode of delivery, existence and type of anesthesia, and feeding modalities. Being in high intermediate risk zone at 72 hours of Bhutani's nomogram was only related to first feeding time and high cord bilirubin level. Late preterm infants were more frequently born with cesarean section and offered supplementary formula. Therefore, first meconium passage times and bilirubin levels were similar in the late preterm and term infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Type of delivery or anesthesia, late prematurity, feeding modalities, and first meconium passage time were not related to early bilirubin levels in healthy neonates, but delayed first feeding and high cord bilirubin levels were related to be in higher risk zone for later hyperbilirubinemia.

Influence of breast-feeding on weight loss, jaundice, and waste elimination in neonates

BACKGROUND

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative began promoting exclusive breast-feeding in 2001 in Taiwan; however, few studies have investigated its impact. This study evaluated the influence of breast-feeding on Taiwanese neonates with regard to the frequency of jaundice, body weight loss (BWL), and elimination of both urine and stool.

METHODS

The medical records of 313 healthy mother-neonate pairs admitted at our hospital were reviewed retrospectively and divided into three groups: exclusively breast-feeding (n=161), mixed (breast/formula) feeding (n=80), and exclusively formula feeding (n=72).

RESULTS

Compared with the exclusively formula feeding group, in the exclusively breast-fed neonates, the average total serum bilirubin level at 3 days after birth (p < 0.001) and the rate of significant hyperbilirubinemia ≥ 15 mg/dL (p<0.05) were significantly higher; the average BWLs at 2 and 3 days after birth (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and the rate of BWL ≥ 10% (p < 0.05) were significantly higher; the average frequency of stool passage at 2 and 3 days after birth (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and urination at 1, 2, and 3 days after birth (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) were significantly less. The factors associated with a mother's choice of infant feeding type include maternal age and delivery method.

CONCLUSION

Breast-feeding during the initial days of life has a significant influence on the degree of jaundice, amount of BWL, and the frequency of stool passage and urination.

Breastfeeding is an essential complement to vaccination

AIM

This article explores the role of breastfeeding in different aspects of vaccination in the first 6 months when infants are still developing: (1) pain management; (2) immunomodulation of infants' vaccine responses; (3) metabolism of thimerosal.

METHODS

Major databases were searched for studies that addressed outcomes of related issues.

RESULTS

Studies reveal that breastfeeding can: (1) help mothers and infants to cope with the stressful situations that accompany parenteral vaccines; (2) improve response to vaccines in the still maturing immunologic and enterohepatic systems of infants; (3) influence physiologic parameters that can change metabolism of ethylmercury derived from some vaccines.

CONCLUSION

Health promotion that supports vaccinations should also emphasize early initiation and maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding up until 6 months for maximum protection of the infants with a possible beneficial effect on the vaccine response. Paediatric professionals should inform mothers of the proven benefits of breastfeeding and its importance in complementing vaccination and lowering stress and the risk of untoward reactions on susceptible infants.