Maternal probiotics intake during pregnancy and exclusive colostrum breastfeeding are associated with a reduced risk of neonatal jaundice.

Probiotic intake during pregnancy was associated with a significantly reduced odds of neonatal jaundice compared to participants who never used probiotics.

• Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.61, 0.98), P = 0.041
• Analysis included 2596 healthy controls and 433 NJ cases with complete data from the CHILD cohort
• Multivariable logistic regression was used with adjustment for confounders
• The CHILD cohort was a prospective birth cohort that recruited 3624 mothers and 3542 paired infants

Neonates with exclusive colostrum feeding had a significantly lower incidence of neonatal jaundice compared to other feeding modes.

• AOR 0.34 (95% CI: 0.27, 0.44), P < 0.001
• Feeding modes compared included exclusive colostrum, formula-only, and mixed feeding
• Feeding mode data were collected from hospital birth records
• This represented the strongest association observed in the study

Mothers who increased probiotic intake during pregnancy compared to preconception levels had a lower risk of neonatal jaundice than those who decreased intake.

• AOR 0.53 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.89), P = 0.016 for mothers who increased probiotic intake
• Probiotic intake patterns (increased, maintained, or decreased compared to preconception) were obtained via questionnaires
• Comparison group was mothers who decreased probiotic intake during pregnancy

Mothers who maintained probiotic intake during pregnancy compared to preconception levels also had a lower risk of neonatal jaundice than those who decreased intake.

• AOR 0.44 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.80), P < 0.007 for mothers who maintained probiotic intake
• This was part of a stratification analysis on probiotic intake patterns
• Both increasing and maintaining intake showed protective associations compared to decreasing intake

Neonatal jaundice is a prevalent global neonatal condition with long-term adverse effects on neurodevelopment and overall health.

• NJ affects 60-80% of newborns globally
• Current clinical treatments such as phototherapy primarily focus on symptom management
• Preventive strategies for NJ remain largely lacking
• NJ is characterized by significantly increased bilirubin levels