Prevalence, Associated Factors and Management of Neonatal Jaundice by Midwives and Nurses of Selected Health Facilities in Fako Division, Cameroon.
Several factors are associated with neonatal jaundice
within the first weeks of life. These include genetics, events during
pregnancy blood group incompatibility, gestational age, nutrition,
haemorrhage, and even infections.
Some babies are more likely to
have severe jaundice and higher bilirubin levels than others; hence,
new-borns are expected to be closely monitored after birth for
early diagnosis of neonatal jaundice and prompt treatment.
If neglected or poorly treated, neonatal
jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia
can cause severe neurological damage which leads to hearing
loss, poor development, learning
disabilities, seizures, and in severe cases death of the neonate.
Guidelines have been established for the effective
management of neonatal jaundice for instance, the Canadian
Paediatric Society and the
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
The American Academy of Pediatrician
Practice guidelines recommends that before any infant is
discharged, the total bilirubin of that infant should be measured.
The midwife or nurse has a role to play in the early identification
and management of neonatal jaundice.
Little data exist on the
prevalence, associated factors, and
management of neonatal
jaundice in the South West Region of Cameroon. Thus, this study
sought to determine the prevalence, identify
associated factors and
determine the care of new-borns presenting with jaundice.
This is to create awareness
among midwives and nurses regarding neonatal
jaundice, the need for early detection, and
prompt management to avoid complications that may
lead to permanent neurological
damage and possibly death of the newborn.
Pediatr Neonatal Nurs Open J. 2023; 9(1): 1-7. doi: 10.17140/PNNOJ-9-140
