Etiology of neonatal jaundice at Shimla.

This article reports the findings of a study undertaken to evaluate the etiological factors responsible for neonatal jaundice in a high-altitude population (2000 m above sea level) in India. 164 neonates were studied, of which 105 (64%) developed clinical jaundice. 68 (64.5%) were boys and 37 (35.2%) were girls. Serum hyperbilirubinemia was found in 38 cases (23.1%). In 12 cases (11.4%), no cause could be determined for the jaundice. Physiological jaundice was determined in 67 cases (63.7%). Sepsis associated with jaundice was found in 11 cases (10.5%). This study could not establish a relationship between high altitude and the incidence of neonatal jaundice. Further studies are needed before such a relationship can be established.