I have read at least twice in the last few years that cases of complications
from newborn jaundice (mainly kernicterus) have been rising in recent years.
Early discharge is a relatively recent phenomenon and babies are routinely
discharged after only two days in the hospital; jaundice peaks on the third
day. Thus I had assumed that some pathological jaundice was being missed
because there was a gap in doctor coverage. Had anyone else seen these
articles in the paper?
I didn't check the archives; maybe this has been discussed. The effect on
breastfeeding of early discharge is probably that there is less interference
in the first three
days due to high levels of bilirubin. If there are more sick babies, the
pendulum
could swing back to overtreatment of jaundice.
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