Maternal and neonatal risk factors for neonatal jaundice and readmission – An Indian perspective

Introduction: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a common neonatal ailment and is mostly benign except in few cases where it might progress to kernicterus. Neonatal jaundice is preventable and treatable if detected in time, and therefore, it is crucial to identify risk factors for developing severe hyperbilirubinemia. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with the aim to examine the risk factors for significant jaundice and also for readmission to the hospital. Results: A total of 1159 neonates were enrolled, of which 11.2% (n = 134) developed significant neonatal jaundice prior to discharge and 2.1% (n = 25) were readmitted with significant jaundice. The maternal risk factors for significant jaundice were primigravida with age range between 23 and 27 years, "O" blood group, conception by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), antenatal oxytocin use, and lower segment cesarean section delivery. The neonatal risk factors for significant jaundice were late preterm male neonates born with birth weight between 2 and 2.5 kg and delayed cord clamping (DCC). The maternal risk factors for readmisssion jaundice were young primigravida with "O" blood group hailing from North India with antenatal use of oxytocin and gestational diabetes mellitus. The neonatal risk factors for readmission jaundice were low birth weight, DCC, twin pregnancies, neonates discharged between 48 and 72 h after birth. Conclusion: The statistically significant factors (P < 0.05) associated with an increased risk of developing significant hyperbilirubinemia requiring readmission included low birth weight, gestational age 35–36 weeks and 6 days, DCC, and IVF-ET conception.