Managing Neonatal Jaundice at the General Practice and Primary Health Care Level: An Overview

Abstract

Neonatal Jaundice (NNJ) is one of the commonest causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the developing world. The physiological form of NNJ occurs in about two thirds of newborns. In addition to this however, are the various pathological forms which apart from being potentially fatal if not well managed, are often very difficult to differentiate from the benign physiological form, except with detailed laboratory investigations. Although the pathological forms of NNJ are ordinarily beyond the facilities usually available to General Practitioners (GPs) in developing countries, it is important that these GPs and the health workers at the primary health care level be well informed about NNJ since they are usually the first set of practitioners to receive babies with this illness. For better case management and reduction of mortality in NNJ, GPs should be able to sort babies with NNJ and manage them according to the severity of the illness. Mothers should be educated against harmful traditional practices which may provoke severe NNJ like the home use of naphthalene-containing balls. Home treatment of NNJ with the various local remedies should also be discouraged since these may not be helpful and may inadvertently cause them to seek medical advice late, with the attendant grave consequences.

Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics Vol.31(2) 2004: 33-38