Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia management: a model for change

Sensitivity, Specificity, and Accuracy of Kramer Examination of Neonatal Jaundice: Comparison with Total Bilirubin Serum

Neonatal jaundice often occurs in the first week after birth. Early detection of neonatal jaundice can prevent kernicterus as a complication of high levels of bilirubin in neonates. Visual assessment is one of the examinations introduced by Kramer to assess the presence of neonatal jaundice. The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Kramer's visual assessment in the examination of neonatal jaundice. This study used cross-sectional design to examine 102 infants, with the sample selected by the convenience sampling method. A 2 × 2 table diagnostic test was employed in this study to analyze the data. The results of this study showed that visual assessment of neonatal jaundice obtained a sensitivity value of 76.92%, a specificity value of 89.47%, and an accuracy value of 86.27%. This research can contribute to the development of other non-invasive methods for assessing neonatal jaundice, and thereby contribute to a decrease in neonatal morbidity.

Infants at risk of significant hyperbilirubinemia in poorly-resourced countries: evidence from a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is frequently associated with disproportionately high rates of bilirubin-induced mortality and long-term morbidities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This scoping review aimed to identify possible etiological/risk factors for clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia in LMICs so as to guide intervention and future research priorities.

DATA SOURCES

We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Excerpt Medica Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, WHO Library Database, African Index Medicus, African Journals Online, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, and Indian Medical Journals for reports published between January 1990 and August 2014 in LMICs with per capita income of ≤ US$ 6000. We included studies on the etiology of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia or hyperbilirubinemia as significant morbidity for relevant maternal, perinatal and neonatal disorders without restriction on study design.

RESULTS

A total of 131 studies were identified in 23 LMICs from different regions of the world. The factors most frequently associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (in approximately 10% of all studies) were ABO and Rhesus incompatibilities, diabetes mellitus, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, prematurity/low birth weight, infection, birth trauma, and drug-induced labor. The role of exclusive breast-feeding and genetic factors was sparsely explored.

CONCLUSIONS

Several maternal, perinatal and neonatal factors are associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in LMICs. Improved research efforts and strategies to address these factors are warranted to curtail the disease burden in these countries.

Use of the extended parallel processing model to evaluate culturally relevant kernicterus messages

INTRODUCTION

Kernicterus is a serious but easily preventable disease in newborns that is not well-known even by some health care professionals. This study evaluated a parent guide and poster on kernicterus awareness and prevention generated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The extended parallel processing model was used as a framework for creating the interview protocol and analyzing the results.

METHOD

In-depth interviews were conducted with four parents and six health care personnel of different ethnicities to evaluate the materials. Content for the parent guide and poster was held constant, but photos were varied according to the ethnicity of the baby (white, African American, or Hispanic) and the language in which the interviews were conducted (English and Spanish).

RESULTS

The parent guide was evaluated positively, but reactions to the poster were varied. The consensus was that the poster drew more attention than the pocket guide but lacked sufficient information about what jaundice is or how to treat it, while the pocket guide provided information, especially with regard to efficacy. The extended parallel processing model claims that when efficacy is equal to or higher than perceived threat, respondents should engage in recommended responses, which was the general finding from these interviews.

DISCUSSION

Recommendations for improvements of the materials are presented. The focus on different ethnicities in the materials was perceived as unnecessary and potentially counter-productive. Both parents and health care professionals mentioned the lack of information regarding treatment. Providing information on the length and effectiveness of treatment for jaundice and kernicterus might increase efficacy in averting the threat in both conditions.

Reduction of severe hyperbilirubinemia after institution of predischarge bilirubin screening

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to demonstrate efficacy of universal predischarge neonatal bilirubin screening in reducing potentially dangerous hyperbilirubinemia in a large, diverse national population.

METHODS

This was a 5-year prospective study directed at neonates who were aged < or =28 days and evaluated at facilities of the Hospital Corporation of America with a serum bilirubin level of > or =20.0 mg/dL. This time frame includes periods before, during, and after the initiation of systemwide institution of a program of universal predischarge neonatal bilirubin screening. The primary outcome measures were serum bilirubin 25.0 to 29.9 and > or =30.0 mg/dL. Neonatal phototherapy use during these years was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 1,028,817 infants who were born in 116 hospitals between May 1, 2004, and December 31, 2008, 129,345 were delivered before implementation and 899,472 infants were delivered after implementation of this screening program in their individual hospitals. With a program of universal screening, the incidence of infants with total bilirubin 25.0 to 29.9 mg/dL declined from 43 per 100,000 to 27 per 100,000, and the incidence of infants with total bilirubin of > or =30.0 mg/dL dropped from 9 per 100,000 to 3 per 100,000 (P = .0019 and P = .0051, respectively). This change was associated with a small but statistically significant increase in phototherapy use.

CONCLUSIONS

A comprehensive program of prevention, including universal predischarge neonatal bilirubin screening, significantly reduces the subsequent development of bilirubin levels that are known to place newborns at risk for bilirubin encephalopathy.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and red cell pyruvate kinase deficiency in neonatal jaundice cases in egypt

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency can lead to acute hemolytic anemia, chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia, and neonatal jaundice. Neonatal red cell pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency may cause clinical patterns, ranging from extremely severe hemolytic anemia to moderate jaundice. The authors aimed at studying the prevalence of G6PD and PK deficiency among Egyptian neonates with pathological indirect hyperbilirubinemia in Cairo. This case-series study included 69 newborns with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. All were subjected to clinical history, laboratory investigations, e.g., complete blood counts, reticulocytic counts, direct and indirect serum bilirubin levels, Coombs tests, qualitative assay of G6PD activity by methemoglobin reduction test, and measurement of erythrocytic PK levels. The study detected 10 neonates with G6PD deficiency, which means that the prevalence of G6PD deficiency among Egyptian neonates with hyperbilirubinemia is 14.4% (21.2% of males). G6PD deficiency was significantly higher in males than females (P = .01). The authors detected 2 cases with PK deficiency, making the prevalence of its deficiency 2.8%. These data demonstrate that G6PD deficiency is an important cause for neonatal jaundice in Egyptians. Neonatal screening for its deficiency is recommended. PK deficiency is not a common cause of neonatal jaundice. However, this needs further investigation on a larger scale.

A proposal to prevent severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus

To address systems failures and promote a safer management of newborn jaundice, we propose an 'aviation safety standard' for newborn health-care services during the first week after birth. Systems failure in newborn jaundice management has been characterized by lapses in concern, loss of continuity, and delays in care by multiple providers at multiple sites. Components for a six-step national strategy to prevent severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and possibly kernicterus are being implemented as delineated in the 2004 AAP guidelines. The clinical guidelines for safer and evidence-based practice have been characterized by both healthcare and societal communities. Professional and community organizations are optimizing outreach resources and facilitating institutionalization of these practices. Nationwide implementation at individual birthing hospitals concurrent with surveillance feedback needs to be initiated. Implementation of a 'six-sigma' approach, as proposed to the current Center for Disease Control and Prevention-initiated partnership (health-care providers, public health and community advocates) may be achieved through collaboration with state and national agencies.

Clinical report from the pilot USA Kernicterus Registry (1992 to 2004)

To identify antecedent clinical and health services events in infants (>/=35 weeks gestational age (GA)) who were discharged as healthy from their place of birth and subsequently sustained kernicterus. We conducted a root-cause analysis of a convenience sample of 125 infants >/=35 weeks GA cared for in US healthcare facilities (including off-shore US military bases). These cases were voluntarily reported to the Pilot USA Kernicterus Registry (1992 to 2004) and met the eligibility criteria of acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) and/or post-icteric sequelae. Multiple providers at multiple sites managed this cohort of infants for their newborn jaundice and progressive hyperbilirubinemia. Clinical signs of ABE, verbalized by parents, were often inadequately elicited or recorded and often not recognized as an emergency. Clinical signs of ABE were reported in 7 of 125 infants with a subsequent diagnosis of kernicterus who were not re-evaluated or treated for hyperbilirubinemia, although jaundice was noted at outpatient visits. The remaining infants (n=118) had total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels >20 mg per 100 ml (342 micromol l(-1); range: 20.7 to 59.9 mg per 100 ml). No specific TSB threshold coincided with onset of ABE. Of infants <37 weeks GA with kernicterus, 34.9% were LGA (large for gestational age) as compared with 24.7% of term infants (>37 weeks GA). Although >90% mothers initiated breast-feeding, assessment of milk transfer and lactation support was suboptimal in most. Mortality was 4% (5 of 125) in infants readmitted at age </=1 week. Along with a rapid rise of TSB (>0.2 mg per 100 ml per hour), contributing factors, alone or in combination, included undiagnosed hemolytic disease, excessive bilirubin production related to extra-vascular hemolysis and delayed bilirubin elimination (including increased enterohepatic circulation, diagnosed and undiagnosed genetic disorders) in the context of known late prematurity (<37 weeks), glucose 6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency, infection and dehydration. Readmission was at age </=5 days in 81 of 118 (69%) infants and <10 days in 101 of 118 (86%) infants. TSB levels were </=35 mg per 100 ml (598 micromol l(-1)) in 46 (39%) infants, of whom one died before exchange transfusion, one was untreated and one was lost to follow-up. Timely and efficacious bilirubin reduction interventions defined by 'crash-cart' initiation of immediate intensive phototherapy and urgent exchange transfusion were accomplished in 11 of 43 infants, which were compared with 12 of 43 infants in whom a timely exchange sometimes could not be accomplished. No overt sequelae were found in 8 of 11 infants (73%) treated with a 'crash-cart' approach compared with none without sequelae when exchange was delayed by pre-admission delays, technical factors or need to transfer to a tertiary facility. None of the remaining 20 of 43 infants treated only with phototherapy escaped sequelae. Regardless of age at readmission and intervention, infants with peak measured TSB >35 mg per 100 ml had post-icteric sequelae (n=73). There was a narrow margin of safety between birthing hospital discharge or home birth and readmission to a tertiary neonatal/pediatric facility. Progression of hyperbilirubinemia to hazardous levels and onset of neurological signs were often not identified as infant's care and medical supervision transitioned during the first week after birth. The major underlying root cause for kernicterus was systems failure of services by multiple providers at multiple sites and inability to identify the at-risk infant and manage severe hyperbilirubinemia in a timely manner.