The Effect of Early Meconium Evacuation on Early-Onset Hyperbilirubinemia

Molecular Physiology and Pathophysiology of Bilirubin Handling by the Blood, Liver, Intestine, and Brain in the Newborn

“…Infants who received rectal stimulation due to rectal temperature measurement passed yellow stools significantly earlier than those assigned to axillary temperature control, and at about 3d of age TSB levels in the rectally-stimulated group were on average 17 µmol/L (1.0 mg/dL) lower than in controls (p = 0.042) (159). However, in another study TSB levels during the first 72 hrs of life in infants randomized to receive a glycerin suppository every 4 hrs were no different from those in untreated controls, although meconium was evacuated earlier in the treatment group (698). Others have found similar results (51,143).…”

Early Meconium Evacuation: Effect on Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

“…Cottrell and Anderson 32 found that rectal stimulation accompanying rectal temperature measurement enhanced intestinal bilirubin excretion because of more rapid meconium passage. Weisman et al, 33 however, found that use of suppositories resulted in earlier evacuation of meconium as measured by the appearance of transitional stool had no effect on reducing serum bilirubin levels in the first 3 days of life.…”

Factors Affecting Bilirubin Levels during First 48 Hours of Life in Healthy Infants

“…Since 1 gram wet meconium contains 1 mg bilirubin, delayed passage of meconium and decreased frequency of meconium passage may increase enterohepatic circulation and contribute to the development of jaundice [23]. On the other hand, bilirubin levels are not much affected with the usage of glycerin enema which decreases meconium passage time [23–25]. Evaluating 32 infants born vaginally and 30 infants born after elective c/s, vaginally born infants were more acidotic and passed their first stools earlier.…”