Neonatal jaundice: magnitude of the problem in Cairo University's neonatal intensive Care unit as a referral center

BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common physiologic problems requiring medical attention in newborns. It is benign in most cases; however, high levels of bilirubin are neurotoxic and can lead to serious brain damage. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at assessment of magnitude of neonatal jaundice in cases of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia admitted into neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Cairo University Pediatric Hospital and to detect possible etiologies, management and outcome. METHODS: The present work is a retrospective study, included 789 neonates suffered from hyperbilirubinemia over a two-year period. RESULTS: Intensive phototherapy and exchange transfusion were used together in 6 cases. Two hundreds and twenty-two cases (28.1%) had exchange transfusion once, 44 cases had it twice, 6 cases had it 3 times and one case had it 4 times. Number of exchange transfusion significantly affects mortality among cases (P= 0.02). CONCLUSION: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is an existing problem in our NICU. Intensive phototherapy is an excellent substitute for exchange transfusion. Respiratory distress and sepsis are significantly higher among dead cases. Screening for risk factors is needed to avoid critical hyperbilirubenemia.