Epidemiological aspects of neonatal jaundice and its relationship with demographic characteristics in the neonates hospitalized in government hospitals in Ilam, 2013

Introduction: Jaundice is one of the hospitalization causes in term and preterm infants. Considering to the side effects of jaundice, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with jaundice in neonates hospitalized in government hospitals in Ilam. Materials and methods: In a case - control study, 384 neonates were enrolled. All neonates hospitalized in Mustafa Khomeini and Imam Khomeini hospital were enrolled in the study. Neonates&rsquo; deaths due other causes were excluded from the study. Data collected through a questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was determined using content validity and its reliability was determined 84% using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In this study, neonates were divided into two groups, the jaundice and other causes neonates. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. P< 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In this study, 44.8% of all neonates have jaundice. Fisher's exact test showed a statistically significant difference of mother's blood group between the two groups .Gender, neonatal age, birth weight, gestational age, type of delivery, type of anesthesia, cephalhematoma and TSH levels was statistically differences between groups. But the caput succedaneum and G6PD levels were not significantly different between groups. Conclusion: The identification of risk factors before and during childbirth and its complications are important in the prevention of neonatal jaundice. Prevent preterm births; hypothyroidism and PROM the risk factors can be controlled by the health service providers.