Neonatal Jaundice and Autism: Precautionary Principle Invocation Overdue - Cureus
Recently, a third meta-analysis found neonatal jaundice is associated with substantial possible increased autism risk [1-3] - the latest in a series of repeated warnings of possible long-term neurodevelopmental harm from neonatal jaundice/hyperbilirubinemia, hypernatremia/dehydration, and hypoglycemia, all frequent causes of preventable hospitalizations for insufficient milk intake in breastfed neonates [4,5]. According to a large body of evidence, a sizeable minority of breastfed neonates receive inadequate nutrition/hydration [6-9]. Double-digit percentages of mother-infant dyads do not successfully establish breastfeeding within the first week and milk usually takes days to come in; intensive professional lactation support does not change those facts. The problem is particularly pronounced in first-time mothers, who some estimates suggest experience delayed onset of full milk production (lactogenesis II), with 33-44% of such mothers perceiving milk coming in beyond 72 hours postpa