Magnitude of Jaundice and Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Neonatal jaundice is the most dangerous sign of neonatal illness. It is the most common cause of neo­natal re-admission and mortality in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is limited information regard­ing neonatal jaundice in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of Jaundice and associated factors among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among newborns admitted to selected public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia from January 1/2019 to December 31/2020. The neonates’ medical records were selected by sys­tem­atic random sampling for examination. Data were collected using a structured checklist and analyzed SPSS version 20. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with neonatal jaundice. A p-value of < 0.05 was used to declare a level of statistical significance.

Results: The magnitude of neonatal jaundice was 32 % (95% CI: 28.8, 35.8). Being preterm  (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI:1.45, 3.38), Instrumental delivery (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI:1.11, 4.48), neonatal hypoglycemia (AOR=2.27, 95% CI: 1.35, 3.82), neonatal sepsis (AOR =2.13, 95%CI: 1.83, 4.38), ABO blood group incompatibility (AOR= 5.16; 95% CI:4.5, 13.71), and birth trauma (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.14, 4.34) were factors significantly associated with neonatal jaundice.

Conclusion: The magnitude of neonatal jaundice was found to be relatively high. Preventing and treating conditions like neonatal infection, birth trauma, and neonatal hypoglycemia can reduce the likelihood of neonatal jaundice.