Audit of Neonatal Jaundice as Experienced at a Mission Hospital in Western Nigeria ()
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common disorder in neonates that can
impact negatively on the brain and cause death. The peculiarities in aetiology
and solutions for different settings are a knowledge gap. This informed the desire to determine local aetiology
and solutions for neonatal jaundice in a missionary hospital in Abeokuta,
Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: Consecutive consenting babies diagnosed
with significant neonatal jaundice were studied between July 2016 and June
2019. Institutional ethical consent was obtained. A proforma was used to obtain
socio-demographic data and other relevant information such as age, sex, birthweight,
gestational age and history regarding the jaundice. All the information obtained
was inputted into a computer and analysed with SPSS version 16. Results:
A total of 179 babies with neonatal jaundice comprising of 120 (67.0%) boys and
59 (33.0%) girls with ages ranging between 1 and 12 days (mean 2.7 ± 2.9) were
studied. Prematurity, ABO incompatibility, neonatal sepsis and
glucose-6-phosphate enzyme deficiency accounted for over 80% of the causes of
significant NNJ. Sixty (33.5%) of the 179 babies studied developed acute
bilirubin encephalopathy and 11 (6.1%)
mortalities were recorded. Higher proportions of babies that were out-born with spontaneous vaginal delivery modes had acute
bilirubin encephalopathy (p < 0.05). Mothers with formal education had
better outcome compared to mothers without, in terms of mortalities (p <
0.05). Conclusion: Neonatal jaundice is still a significant cause of
morbidity and mortality in the neonatal age group. Maternal education is key to
good outcome in neonatal jaundice.
Share and Cite:
Idowu, J. (2024) Audit of Neonatal Jaundice as Experienced at a Mission Hospital in Western Nigeria.
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
14, 50-62. doi:
10.4236/ojped.2024.141006.
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