Identifying Modifiable Socio-demographic Risk Factors for Severe Hyperbilirubinaemia in Late Preterm and Term Babies in Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia remains an important cause of neonatal admissions in Nigeria, often giving rise to irreversible neurotoxicity. Access to effective phototherapy is restricted to a few centers while salvage therapy with exchange blood transfusion may occur too late to reverse acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE).

Aim: We set out to identify modifiable socio-demographic risk factors for severe neonatal jaundice in babies of ≥34 week gestation at the National Hospital Abuja.

Methodology: Late preterm and term babies admitted into Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) with jaundice from April 2014 to May 2015 were consecutively recruited into the study with parental consent. Socio-demographic information, history of common risk factors for neonatal jaundice and results of laboratory investigations were obtained for statistical analysis. Jaundice was classified as severe (≥ 20 mg/dl) or non-severe (10-19 mgdl). Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were carried out to determine the significance of associations between risk factors and severity of jaundice.

Results: A total of 123 babies were seen with an Inborn/Out born ratio of 1:2.3. Eighty two percent were term. Severe Jaundice accounted for 43(35%). The mean TSB for babies with severe jaundice was 29.1(9.6) mg/dl while that of controls was 16.9(5.9) mg/dl, (p=0.000). There was no significant difference in the distribution of primary risk factors (ABO/Rh incompatibility, sepsis, G6PD deficiency and concealed haemorrhage) among severe and non-severe groups. Among investigated secondary risk factors, late presentation (P=0.043), being out born (OR=0.164 95% CF=0.054-0.504), vaginal delivery (p=0.012), prematurity (OR=2.233 95% CF=1.051-4.740) and maternal education (p=0.017) were significantly associated with severe jaundice. Over 98% of the mothers had antenatal care while 91% delivered in hospitals/clinics. Thirty two (26%) had signs of acute bilirubin encephalopathy and exchange blood transfusion was done in 50 (40.7%) babies.

Recommendation: There is a need to refocus preventive strategies on modifiable risk factors, increasing awareness about the consequences of neonatal jaundice and the essence of early identification as well as prompt hospital presentation.