DefinePK

Abstract

Neonatal jaundice significantly impacts neonates' health and mortality, leading to frequent hospitalizations. The IMNCI classification improves early diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Objective: To classify jaundice based on IMNCI classification and evaluate its etiology across different severity levels. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Neonatology unit at CMC-SMBBMU Larkana from July 2022 to January 2024, involving 147 neonates aged 0 to 28 days with jaundice, using a non-probability, consecutive sampling technique. Results: The study examined 147 neonates, with 81 (55.1%) males and 66 (44.9%) females. Most had a birth weight between 2000g to 2499g, with 36.1%, while only 14(9.5%) weighed 3500g or more. In gestational age 93(63.26) % were born at term, 46(31.29%) preterm, and 8(5.44%) post term. Delivery methods varied, with 81(55.1%) vaginally, 49(33.33%) C-section, and 17(11.56%) instrumented. The IMNCI classification revealed that 78.91% of neonates had jaundice, while 21.09% had severe jaundice, highlighting that gender (p=0.03), residence (p=0.04), aetiology (p=0.001), gestational age (p=0.04), and birth weight (p=0.01) all significantly influence the severity of jaundice and highly significant association in post-term neonates and those with lower birth weights are at a higher risk of severe jaundice. Data was input and examined using the SPSS version 26.0 software. Conclusions: Neonatal jaundice severity is influenced by gestational age, birth weight, and delivery mode, with post-term and low-birth-weight neonates at higher risk. Early identification and targeted interventions are crucial, and improving maternal education and healthcare accessibility, especially in rural areas, can reduce jaundice incidence and severity.