Neonatal Jaundice in Zaria, Northern Nigeria.

Abstract

Summary: The incidence of neonatal jaundice was only 2% of hospital deliveries in Zaria, but this was certainly a considerable underestimate. Twenty four per cent of acutely ill new-born infants admitted to hospital were jaundiced. Of 40 consecutive jaundiced infants, 85% had infection, 40% weighed less than 200g between the third and tenth days of life and 33% were G-6-PD deficient. Causation of jaundice was multifactorial in almost all the patients; the most profound jaundice and the three deaths occurred in patients with three associated factors of infection, G-6-PD deficiency and low weight. Other causes included massive haematomas in 7.5% of the patients. ABO foeto-maternal incompatibility was a possible contributing factor in only two patients. It is concluded that antenatal care and supervised delivery with adequate facilities would prevent neonatal jaundice in most of our children.