Mother infant zero separation for neonatal jaundice: we are getting closer

Abstract Background Although phototherapy represents the standard of care for preventing bilirubin neurotoxicity, it can have both short- and long-term adverse effects. Moreover, phototherapy can interfere with mother-infant relationship and breastfeeding. Main body As phototherapy quickly converts...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Riccardo Davanzo, Paola Cavicchioli, Massimo Agosti, Carlo Dani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Italian Journal of Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-02104-6
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Summary:Abstract Background Although phototherapy represents the standard of care for preventing bilirubin neurotoxicity, it can have both short- and long-term adverse effects. Moreover, phototherapy can interfere with mother-infant relationship and breastfeeding. Main body As phototherapy quickly converts the bilirubin in the skin compartment and in the cutaneous circulation into harmless photo-isomers, during the following 2–3 h the effect of phototherapy is limited, leading to the plausibility for an effective intermittent phototherapy, which in fact has been recently documented both in preterm and term neonates. Conclusions Cyclic phototherapy can help reduce mother-infant separation to a minimum, thus promoting the development of the mother-infant relationship and, ultimately, exclusive breastfeeding.
ISSN:1824-7288