© 1984 by Oxford University Press
research-article |
Neonatal Jaundice in Pakistan
Special Care Baby Unit, National Institute of Child Health, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi, Pakistan
Of 414 neonates with jaundice studied prospectively, 306 had non-physiological jaundice. Their mean weight was 2310±679 grams, 69.6 per cent being of low birth weight. Low birth weight with or without infection but without any other cause for jaundice accounted for 130 (42.5 per cent). Of these 67 were infected. Infection also accounted for jaundice in another 50 (16.3 per cent) who weighed more than 2500 grams. Infants with ABO incompatibility constituted 15.7 per cent while those with Rhesus imcompatibility constituted 12.7 per cent. There was no significant difference in severity between these two groups. Enclosed haemorrhage accounted for 4.9 per cent. The mean age on admission was 4.9±4.2 days. The mean total bilirubin on admission was 19.7±8.16 mg per cent. Kernicterus occurred in 11.4 per cent, the frequency being significantly higher in the low birth weight and the infected. This high incidence can be reduced by early referral, prevention of infection and reduction of preterm births by improved antenatal care and nutrition.