NEONATAL JAUNDICE AND ITS RISK FACTORS IN FULL TERM NEWBORNS
Abstract
Background
Elevated plasma levels of bilirubin and yellow pigmentation of skin, mucous membranes and secretions is defined as jaundice, with an incidence of approximately 60% of full term newborns (FTN). Phototherapy is the most used therapeutic modality for the treatment of jaundice.
Objectives
To identify the occurrence and risk factors of physiological jaundice in FTN who needed phototherapy in a maternity of a public hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Methods
A cross-sectional study carried out in a maternity of a public hospital in the state of São Paulo - Brazil. The sample consisted of FTN who were born in August 2018. The variables studied were grouped into maternal, pre-natal, obstetric and neonatal.
Results
The final sample consisted of 114 neonates. Maternal age averaged 27.5 years, schooling of 10.2 years and 83.3% reported having a cohabitant. The incidence of neonatal jaundice requiring phototherapy was 30.7%, and there was a statistically significant association between jaundice requiring phototherapy and the following variables: urinary tract infection in the pregnant woman, vaginal delivery, gestational age less than 270 days (38 weeks and 5 days) and large for gestational age (LGA).
Conclusion
Knowing the real risk factors for the development of neonatal jaundice within the context of regional health can facilitate its early diagnosis, as well as the introduction early phototherapy, giving security to the binomial at hospital discharge and decreasing days of hospitalization, readmissions and hospital costs.