Evaluation of the Causes of Jaundice in Neonates Admitted to Madani Hospital of Khorram Abad In 2002

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in neonates. It is observed during the first week of the life in approximately 60% of term and 80% of preterm neonates. Kernicterus is a rare but serious consequence of undiagnosed hyperbilirubinemia. In this situation, indirect bilirubin deposit in the brain and causes transient dysfunction and occasionally permanent neuronal damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the causes of jaundice in neonates in Madani hospital of Khorram Abad . Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on all of the neonates who suffered from non-physiologic jaundice in Shahid Madani hospital in 2004. The method of sampling was simple. The studied variables included sex, age, positive family history, breast feeding, maternal diabetes and the age of jaundice emergence. Phototherapy or blood exchange was done based on the age, bilirubin level and gestational age. The data collected by questionnaire. Findings: Among 123-studied neonates, 72.3 % were male and 28% were female. 39.9% had early jaundice which is caused by inadequate breast-feeding. 21.1% had ABO incompatibility 2.4% Rh incompatibility and 9% G6PD deficiency. 16.3% had sepsis, 1.6% had urinary tract infection and 5.7% had asphyxia. 76.4% were treated by phototherapy and 23.4 % by exchange transfusion. 2.4% of neonate had kernicterus before the time of admitting to the hospital. Conclusion: The most common cause of jaundice in the studied group was early breast feeding. So, mothers should be trained on breast feeding and its effect on reducing the neonatal jaundice.