Pathological neonatal jaundice at the regional teaching hospital of Borgou (Benin) in 2014

Abstract

Background: In northern Benin there is no data on neonatal jaundice. The present work aims to study the incidence, causes and evolution of pathological jaundice. Patients and methods: Cross-sectional study over four months in 2014 in the Neonatal Unit of the Regional Teaching Hospital of Borgou (Benin), focusing on 231 neonates admitted. Results: Of the 231 neonates admitted, 55 presented jaundice (23.81%). The mean age of onset of jaundice was less than 24 hours in 55.45% of cases. The sex ratio was 1.29. The mean initial serum bilirubin was 143.93±65.92 mg/L. The causes of jaundice were dominated by infections (65.45%) and G6PD deficiency. The lethality rate was 7.27%. Conclusion: More than one in five newborn had jaundice. Infection and G6PD deficiency were the main causes. This high rate of G6PD deficiency suggests a systematic neonatal screening.