Description
Causes, prevention and treatment strategies of neonatal jaundice in newborn in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi from 2019-2021.
Abstract
Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common causes of death in newborns. It is a life-threatening disorder in newborns and as well as a multifactorial disorder with many symptoms. Generally, the physiological jaundice is the most prevalent type however in some regions pathological jaundice is also common. This study focuses on a brief introduction to jaundice, its types, causes, measuring the level of bilirubin, clinical approaches/ diagnosis, treatment strategies, prevention, prognosis and complications. The objective of the study is to determine the causes and treatment strategies of neonatal jaundice in newborns in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi from 2019-2021. A total of 200 neonates admitted at the hospital were used for this study. The method used to carry out this research was retrospective descriptive design. The study population comprised neonates with jaundice whose predisposing factors were prematurity 50(25%), sepsis 16(8%), physiological 27(13.5%) prematurity and sepsis 24(12%), physiological and sepsis 33(16.5%), Rhesus and ABO incompatibility 34(17%), unknown causes 16(8%). 12.5% were managed using phototherapy and antibiotics, 26.5% through phototherapy, 9.5% through exchange blood transfusion, 4% through exchange blood transfusion and antibiotics, 13% through phototherapy and exchange blood transfusion followed by 12%phototherapy and exclusive breastfeeding and 22.5% phototherapy and phenobarbitone. The outcome of the treatment was favourable as 90.3% were discharged home, 25% were discharged against medical advice and 7.2% were recorded dead. The researcher observed that there’s a high prevalence of neonatal jaundice in newborns in NAUTH. Jaundice is easily diagnosable and it however requires quick treatment. If not treated properly can lead to many complications including kernicterus and cerebral palsy. Currently, the treatment options for neonatal jaundice include phototherapy, chemotherapy, exchange blood transfusion and vaccination.
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