A newborn is at higher risk for jaundice when delivered by which method?

A newborn is at higher risk for jaundice when delivered using a vacuum-assisted method. This is primarily because vacuum extraction can lead to bruising and cephalohematoma. These conditions occur when there's pressure applied to the baby's head during delivery, resulting in bleeding under the skin or in the surrounding tissues.

The presence of bruises or swelling can cause an increase in bilirubin levels in the newborn. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells, and when a newborn has excess bruising, the breakdown of these damaged red blood cells leads to higher bilirubin production. Since an infant's liver is still maturing and may not efficiently process bilirubin during the initial days after birth, this can increase the risk of jaundice.

In contrast, delivery methods such as cesarean section, forceps, and natural birth do not inherently increase the risk of jaundice in the same way. Cesarean sections may involve different risk factors, but do not typically cause the same immediate physical trauma associated with vacuum extraction. Forceps can present some risk but not to the same degree as the vacuum method in relation to jaundice. Natural births, while they can have bruising, generally do not result in the specific issues leading