Child health experts have stressed the need for all newborns to be screened for jaundice before they are discharged from hospitals, stating that early detection can prevent babies from permanent neurological disabilities such as brain damage, cerebral palsy, and in some instances, death.
The seasoned paediatricians noted that while neonatal jaundice, which is characterised by yellowing of the eyes and skin, is preventable and treatable, many newborns in the country are still affected and die from the condition due to missed symptoms, lack of testing, exposure to triggers, delays in accessing care and mismanagement with home remedies.
In interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the experts identified four primary causes of neonatal jaundice in Nigeria as ABO blood group incompatibility between mother and baby, Rhesus factor incompatibility, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, prematurity, and infection.
They strongly stated that babies born with these risk factors must have their bilirubin levels checked and monitored daily before discharge, stressing that any neonate with suspected jaundice must be immediately placed on treatment.
The paediatricians further urged parents to closely observe their babies after returning home and seek immediate medical attention if they notice yellowing of the eyes or skin, poor feeding, unusual crying or convulsions.
