Factors influencing neonatal jaundice.

An investigation was planned to inquire into the aetiology of neonatal jaundice other than that proved to be due to haemolytic disease. The course of the work evolved on three lines: first, a two-year period of case collection at the Birmingham Maternity Hospital; second, a comparison with another hospital reputedly having a much higher incidence of jaundice and, third, a long-term follow-up to assess any residual brain damage. The first part is reported here. The period covered two years from December 1, 1958 to November 30, 1960, excluding short periods when holidays prevented cases being recorded adequately. Babies discharged within six days of birth (home nursing) and proved cases of Rh or ABO haemolytic disease were excluded (Table 1).