Are Drive-Through Deliveries So Bad?

Roughly one newborn in 50 ends up back in the hospital during the first month of life. Some leading casues of readmission:

40% Juaundice - Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to buildup of a bile pigment 25% Suspected infection - Pneumonia, eye inflammation, unexplained fevers 5% Feeding-related problems - Can lead to dehydration if not promptly treated 5% Respiratory problems - Baby turn blue or momentaily stops breathing 5% Gastrointestinal problems - Vomiting, bowel obstruction 2% Heart problems - Irregular pulse, heart murmur, congenital malformations 2% Injury - Includes accidents, abuse, choking, poisoning Source: M. bruce Edmonson, M.D., Univ. of Wis., Madison

© 1997