Which maternal factor can contribute to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia?

Which maternal factor can contribute to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia?

• A. Diabetes
• B. Hypertension
• C. Infection
• D. Administration of oxytocin

Answer: (C)

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia occurs when bilirubin production is high or the newborn’s liver can’t effectively conjugate and eliminate it. A maternal infection around the time of birth increases this risk because it can lead to neonatal sepsis or fetal inflammatory responses. Infections disrupt liver function and promote hemolysis, both of which raise the amount of unconjugated bilirubin the newborn has to deal with. Inflammatory mediators can also impair the activity of the enzyme that conjugates bilirubin, making clearance even harder. This direct link between maternal infection and the newborn’s ability to process bilirubin is why infection is a strong contributor to neonatal jaundice. Other options don’t have as direct an effect on bilirubin metabolism: diabetes may raise bilirubin indirectly through related factors like polycythemia, hypertension is more about placental blood flow and prematurity risk, and oxytocin administration doesn’t itself drive bilirubin overload.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia occurs when bilirubin production is high or the newborn’s liver can’t effectively conjugate and eliminate it. A maternal infection around the time of birth increases this risk because it can lead to neonatal sepsis or fetal inflammatory responses. Infections disrupt liver function and promote hemolysis, both of which raise the amount of unconjugated bilirubin the newborn has to deal with. Inflammatory mediators can also impair the activity of the enzyme that conjugates bilirubin, making clearance even harder. This direct link between maternal infection and the newborn’s ability to process bilirubin is why infection is a strong contributor to neonatal jaundice. Other options don’t have as direct an effect on bilirubin metabolism: diabetes may raise bilirubin indirectly through related factors like polycythemia, hypertension is more about placental blood flow and prematurity risk, and oxytocin administration doesn’t itself drive bilirubin overload.