Oxytocin and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: To study the incidence of neonatal jaundice requiring phototherapy in babies exposed to maternal oxytocin for induction of labor and to compare the increase in neonatal jaundice in oxytocin group with the jaundice in babies born of spontaneous labor. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the neonatal unit of a tertiary care center in Trivandrum, Kerala over a period of 6 months. After exclusion, 308 babies were divided in two groups, Group A (babies exposed to maternal oxytocin for induction of labor) or Group B (babies born of spontaneous labor with oxytocin use for augmentation of labor). Babies were observed daily for clinical jaundice till discharge. Results: Incidence of neonatal jaundice in Group A was 52% and in Group B was 12% with relative risk 4.3 (95% confidence interval: 2.69-6.73). Conclusion: Our study shows that maternal oxytocin used for induction of labor increase the incidence of neonatal jaundice, and it is logical to prevent hyperbilirubinemia by reducing the dose of oxytocin.