Neonatal Jaundice in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Lessons and Future Directions from the 2015 Don Ostrow Trieste Yellow Retreat.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2016
Identifier
DOI: 10.1159/000445708
Abstract
Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, defined as total serum bilirubin (TSB) ≥20 mg/dl, is associated with a higher risk of permanent neurological sequelae and death. Jaundice can and should be promptly diagnosed and treated. Reliable methods for TSB assay are not always readily available, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, making the true incidence of severe neonatal jaundice (NNJ) difficult to estimate. To gather a more comprehensive picture, a symposium addressing NNJ worldwide was organized during the 2015 Don Ostrow Trieste Yellow Retreat. Data collected by several researchers in different regions of the world were presented and differences/similarities discussed. This report points out the need for: (1) a coordinated worldwide effort to define the burden and the causes of severe NNJ and its consequences; (2) aggressive educational programs for families and health personnel to facilitate timely care-seeking, and (3) accurate diagnostics and effective phototherapy.
Journal Title
Neonatology
Volume
110
Issue
3
First Page
172
Last Page
180
MeSH Keywords
Bilirubin; Congresses as Topic; Developing Countries; Health Personnel; Humans; Incidence; Infant, Newborn; Jaundice, Neonatal; Phototherapy
Keywords
Bilirubin; Congresses as Topic; Developing Countries; Health Personnel; Humans; Incidence; Infant, Newborn; Jaundice, Neonatal; Phototherapy
Recommended Citation
Greco C, Arnolda G, Boo NY, et al. Neonatal Jaundice in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Lessons and Future Directions from the 2015 Don Ostrow Trieste Yellow Retreat. Neonatology. 2016;110(3):172-180. doi:10.1159/000445708