The effect of early meconium evacuation on early-onset hyperbilirubinemia.

Delayed passage of meconium has been associated with hyperbilirubinemia. To determine if early evacuation of meconium is effective in reducing total serum bilirubin level, 84 term healthy neonates were randomly assigned to a suppository group or a nonsuppository group. Use of suppositories resulted in earlier evacuation of meconium as measured by the appearance of transitional stool. No significant effect was noted, however, on total serum bilirubin levels in the first three days of life. Routine use of suppositories to decrease total serum bilirubin level cannot be recommended for term healthy neonates.