Assessment of Various Maternal Risk Factors and Treatment Approaches for Neonatal Jaundice in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: The study objectives were to evaluate the neonatal jaundice treatment approach and identify various risk factors associated with the occurrence of neonatal jaundice. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was carried out for 6 months at St. Philomena‘s Hospital. Researchers reviewed patients` medication charts and collected the data for further analysis. Patients` medication charts also were monitored for the occurrence of any adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Results: A total of 100 babies met inclusion criteria. The majority of babies were male (56%). Sixteen neonates (16%) were born with low birth weight, 11% of all neonates were preterm, and 42% of babies had O +ve blood group. Maternal-related risk factors analysis showed that 58% of women were between 26-35 years, 44% were overweight, 53% of women were in their first gravida, and 52% of mothers were delivered by C-Section. Overall, 100 (82.6%), 11 (9.1%), 6 (5%), 3 (2.5%), 1 (0.8%) neonates received phototherapy, ursodeoxycholic acid (UCDA), phenobarbital, exchange transfusion, and intravenous immunoglobulins respectively. We detected 15 ADRs and 14 DDIs associated with the management of neonatal jaundice. Phototherapy induced ADR (46.6%) and interaction between UCDA-sucralfate (35.7%) were the most common identified treatment-related issues. Conclusion: Neonatal and maternal risk factors may involve in the development of neonatal jaundice. Phototherapy remained the most desirable therapeutic approach. Although the neonatal treatment approach is safe, a review of prescribed medications can give insight into the appropriate usage of medications among this vulnerable cohort.