ABSTRACT
All infants born at Al Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates between 1 January and 30 June 1995 who developed clinically relevant hyperbilirubinaemia defined as jaundice requiring investigation and treatment were prospectively studied. Of the 2300 live births, 85 (3.7%) developed hyperbilirubinaemia. Of these, 22 were premature, 22 had ABO haemolytic disease of the newborn, eight had G6PD deficiency (Mediterranean), seven had breast-milk jaundice, five were born to mothers with diabetes mellitus and one had Rh incompatibility. No specific factor was identified in 20 (24%). Significant differences in the distribution of diagnostic categories were found among the major ethnic groups in the population studied. This first study of the epidemiology of clinically relevant hyperbilirubinaemia in this community identified locally relevant risk factors and highlighted areas of health care which, if modified, might reduce the incidence of hyperbilirubinaemia.
PIP: If untreated, severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is neurotoxic. Management of the condition therefore includes preventing serum bilirubin from reaching toxic levels. Identifying infants at risk of developing severe hyperbilirubinemia and early intervention have reduced levels of morbidity and mortality associated with bilirubin encephalopathy. The incidence of neonatal jaundice and the etiological factors associated with hyperbilirubinemia vary by locale. All infants born at Al Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates, between January 1 and June 30, 1995, who developed clinically relevant hyperbilirubinemia defined as jaundice requiring investigation and treatment were prospectively studied. 85 (3.7%) of the 2300 live births developed hyperbilirubinemia. Of those, 22 were premature, 22 had ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn, 8 had G6PD deficiency (Mediterranean), 7 had breast milk jaundice, 5 were born to mothers with diabetes mellitus, and 1 had Rh incompatibility. No specific factor was identified in 20 (24%) infants. Significant differences in the distribution of diagnostic categories were found among the major ethnic groups in the population studied.
