For how long can maternal hormone exposure affect vaginal discharge in newborns?

Maternal hormone exposure can significantly impact a newborn's physiology, particularly in the days and weeks following birth. It is known that maternal hormones, mainly estrogen and progesterone, are passed to the infant during pregnancy. This hormonal influence can lead to variations in vaginal discharge in newborns due to the newborn's immature hormonal system. Typically, these hormonal effects can last around 10 days after delivery.

This duration aligns with the natural decrease in maternal hormone levels that occur post-partum, allowing for a normalization of the newborn's hormonal profile. While hormonal influences can persist for some time, 10 days is considered the general time frame where noticeable effects on vaginal discharge can still be observed in newborns, leading to this option being the most accurate. This understanding is critical for neonatal nursing as it helps guide assessments of newborn health and manage parental expectations regarding normal physiological changes.