Aetiology of neonatal jaundice in apparently well late-preterm and term neonates at a mission hospital, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The knowledge of the aetiology for neonatal jaundice is important in the early detection and effective management of infants with or at risk of severe jaundice before hospital discharge. This study assessed the aetiological factors of neonatal jaundice among apparently well late preterm and termnewborns to ensure timely intervention where these risk factors exist.
Method: This was a cross sectional study involving 174 apparently well neonates at a tertiary mission hospital. Detailed history, physical examination, relevant haematological and biochemical tests were undertaken. Significant jaundice was defined as serum bilirubin greater than 2 standard deviations above the postnatal age and weight dependent treatment concentration.
Results: Of the 844 neonates admitted into the neonatal care unit, 174 (20.6%) had significant jaundice. Median age at presentation was 3 days (95% CI of median 3-4days). The mean ±SD gestation age and birth weight of the neonates at recruitment were 38.1±1.6 weeks and 3.1± 0.5kg respectively. Males were 108 (62.4%; M: F.1.6.1). The mean ±SD total serum bilirubin was 13.9±4.7mg/dl. Significant jaundice was more common with maternal-baby concordant paired blood group of AA, O-O compared with discordant materno-baby group pairs. Of the known causes of significant neonatal jaundice, G6PD deficiency (57-38.5%) ranked topmost. Half (87-50.0%) of the causes of significant jaundice were unidentified.
Conclusion : G6PD deficiency remains the leading aetiology for significant neonatal jaundice. G6PD screening should be mandated before hospital discharge, compatible mother-baby blood group pairs do not rule the risk for significant jaundice; further research is required to elucidate other inherent unidentified aetiologies.