RESUMO
Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the presenting signs of bacterial infection in newborns, and the association of neonatal jaundice with urinary tract infection [UTI] has been particularly emphasized. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of UTI in asymptomatic jaundiced neonates younger than 4 weeks old
Method: A cross sectional survey has been conducted at Newborn Unit of Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital - Abha from January 2016 to August 2016. A total of 15 patients have been included in the study, who were diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia due to urinary tract infection [UTI] after exclusion of unrelated criteria
Conclusion: It could be concluded that UTI should be routinely investigated in early [<10 days] idiopathic neonatal jaundice in which all other etiologic factors of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are ruled out, and the presence of UTI should be considered in case of a poor phototherapy response in cases receiving phototherapy