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5. Congenital and Pregnancy Related Factors Governing the Risk of Pathological Jaundice in Neonates

Original Article

Risk of Pathological Jaundice in Neonates

Congenital and Pregnancy Related Factors Governing the Risk of Pathological Jaundice in Neonates

Annam Sammie, Saad Muhammad, Junaid Iqbal, Shabeer Hussain Shah, Pir Adil Shah and Najm ul Huda Siddiqui

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aims to determine the frequency and risk factors for pathological hyperbilirubinemia in our context to guide healthcare policy and practice.

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Neonatal ICU, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from 1st January, 2024 to 31st June 2024.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-seven neonates with neonatal jaundice brought to the NICU were included in the study. Salient demographic characteristics, birth history suspected to be associated with neonatal jaundice and the day of appearance of jaundice were noted. Laboratory investigations were done to assess the causes of jaundice, to aid in diagnosis and evaluate prognosis of treatment.

Results: The study enrolled 137 neonates with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Males comprised 51.1% (n=70), while females made up 48.9% (n=67). Neonatal sepsis was the most frequent factor, occurring in 31.39% (n=43) of cases, followed by pre-term birth at 23.36% (n=32) and ABO incompatibility at 18.98% (n=26). Pathologic jaundice was found in 32 (23.4%) of the cases studied. When jaundice was analyzed by age, gender, birth weight, and pre-term birth, no statistically significant association was found (p > 0.05)

Conclusion: Pathologic jaundice was found in 32 (23.4%) of the cases studied. It is a more severe form of jaundice and leads to a considerable number of admissions to neonatal ICU.  However, most factors responsible for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are preventable and thus better management of pregnancy and during early neonatal period would address these preventable factors.

Key Words: ABO incompatibility, Bilirubin, Kernicterus, Sepsis.

Citation of article: Sammie A, Muhammad S, Iqbal J, Shah SH, Shah PA, Siddiqui NH. Congenital and Pregnancy Related Factors Governing the Risk of Pathological Jaundice in Neonates. Med Forum 2024;35(10):19-23. doi:10.60110/medforum.351005.