What is a common cause of jaundice in newborns related to maternal health?

Maternal diabetes is a common cause of jaundice in newborns due to its association with conditions like hyperbilirubinemia. In cases of maternal diabetes, especially if poorly controlled, the infant may experience an increased production of red blood cells (erythrocytes), which can lead to elevated levels of bilirubin following the breakdown of these cells. This increased bilirubin can overwhelm the neonatal liver’s ability to process it, resulting in jaundice.

Moreover, infants born to mothers with diabetes are also at risk for other complications such as macrosomia (large body size), which can further contribute to the likelihood of jaundice as larger infants may have more extensive bruising or red blood cell breakdown after birth. This interplay between maternal diabetes management and neonatal outcomes is crucial in understanding the mechanisms leading to jaundice in affected newborns.

The other options, while they may contribute to various health issues, do not have a direct and well-established correlation with newborn jaundice as maternal diabetes does.