Early discharge from maternity: Severe hyperbilirubinemia risk

Abstract

Introduction: During the past decades, early discharge from maternity has increased and the risks of this practice have made the jaundice one of the most reasons of neonatal rehospitalization. Aim: To describe the rate of severe hyperbilirubinemia and its complications after early discharge from maternity. Methods: Prospective study conducted in the maternity of Farhat Hached of Sousse from 16th February to the 16th May 2015. Results: One hundred of the pair mother-children were included. After discharge, 27% of newborns had jaundice. Seven of the hyperbilirubinemic patients required admission and were treated with phototherapy. Most etiologies of jaundice were the ABO hemolytic disease in 57%, prematurity in 28.6% and neonatal bruising in 14.3%. A proportion of 85% of parents did not receive information about neonatal jaundice. Conclusion: Jaundice is the most cause of readmission after early discharge. National recommendations seem essential.