Burden and short term outcome of neonatal jaundice at university teaching hospital of kigali

Abstract

Background Neonatal jaundice is among the most frequent causes of newborns hospitalization in the first week after birth. It is a benign condition if well managed in a timely manner. Without appropriate management, neonatal jaundice can lead to neurological problems like cerebral palsy, auditory disturbance and gaze abnormalities. Aims:To evaluate prevalence of neonatal jaundice,short term outcome of newborns with jaundice and its associted factors at CHUK Pediatrics department. Methods:This study was a retrospective cross-sectionalstudy carried out at CHUK pediatric department for newborns admitted during a period two years,from January 2018 to December 2019.Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire,they were entered in Epidata 3.1 and analysed in SPSS 25. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were used for factors associted with short term outcome. Odds ratios were calculated and Significance level was considered at p-value < 0.05. Results: Newborns admitted were 1745,those with jaundice were 711.The prevalence of neonatal jaundice at CHUK during 2018-2019 was 40.7%; 13.2% died. Severe hyperbilirubinemia was associated with coming from outside CHUK (p<0.001). There was a strong association between death and congenital abnormality (p<0.001), direct hyperbilirubinemia (p<0.001), sepsis (p<0.001), weight less than 2500grams (p<0.001). Conclusion:The burden of neonatal jaundice at CHUK was high. The factors associted with outcome were prematurity, congenital abnormality and sepsis. Neonates who were transferred fromoutside CHUK were more likely to present with severe hypebilirubinemia. Maternal education during prenatal visits and postpartum can improve early consultation. Ealy transfer of neonates with congenital abnormalities and neonatal sepsis will improve outcome.