Neonatal jaundice is a very common condition worldwide occurring in up to 60% of term and 80% of preterm new-born in the first week of life. Its incidence varies with geography. It is a leading cause of hospitalization in the first week of life worldwide. If inappropriately managed, it may result in significant bilirubininduced mortality and disability. This study seeks to determine the prevalence and risk factors of neonatal jaundice in Special Care Baby Unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria. An ex-post facto survey design was adopted for this study. The instrument used were in-depth interview and secondary data obtain from medical department of the hospital. Nurses in the Special Care Baby Unit responded to the interview. Data obtained show that 480 neonates are diagnosed with jaundice out of 1470 neonates admitted with the highest prevalence in 2017. Male neonates (64%) suffer jaundice more than females. Physiological jaundice is the most prevalent type of jaundice. The major treatment rendered is drugs/phototherapy (65%). The result of the interview of the qualitative study revealed that the risk factors responsible for the increase are poor breastfeeding practice by mothers, sepsis, and ABO incompatibility among others. It is recommended that mothers be educated on the causes of neonatal jaundice, early breastfeeding practice and early recognition of signs of jaundice and present to the hospital on time since most of the women in the area of study deliver at home and usually present with the babies late to the hospital. There is also need
for a bigger and well established, organized and functional unit (SCBU) in the hospital that can cater for the increased number of neonates suffering from jaundice. More qualified health personnel should be employed in the unit to cater for the large number of neonates diagnosed with jaundice
- Anita | Yafeh | Mfuh | lukonganita@yahoo.com | +234803282 9978 , C. | S. | Lukong | lukongchris@gmail.com | +2348035873582 , U | K | Sale | @ | +234, Samuel | Godwin | Atayi | godwinatayis@gmail.com | +2348065190951
- Neonatal jaundice; Prevalence; Risk factor.
- Lautech New Edition April 2020 Article 2+
