Neonatal jaundice incidence, risk factors and outcomes in referral‐level facilities in Nigeria

Abstract Objective To determine the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of babies with neonatal jaundice in a network of referral‐level hospitals in Nigeria. Design A cross‐sectional analysis of perinatal data collected over a 1‐year period. Setting Fifty‐four referral‐level hospitals (48 public and 6 private) across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Population A total of 77 026 babies born at or admitted to the participating facilities (67 697 hospital live births; plus 9329 out‐born babies), with information on jaundice between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020. Methods Data were extracted and analysed to calculate incidence and sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for neonatal jaundice. Main outcome measures Incidence and risk factors of neonatal jaundice in the 54‐referral hospitals in Nigeria. Results Of 77 026 babies born in or admitted to the participating facilities, 3228 had jaundice (41.92 per 1000 live births). Of the 67 697 hospital live births, 845 babies had jaundice (12.48 per 1000 live births). The risk factors associated with neonatal jaundice were no formal education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.68, 95% CI 1.11–2.52) or post‐secondary education (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 0.99–1.38), previous caesarean section (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.40–2.03), booked antenatal care at <13 weeks or 13–26 weeks of gestation (aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.20–2.08; aOR 1.15, 95% CI 0.93–1.42, respectively), preterm birth (aOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.14–1.78) and labour more than 18 hours (aOR 2.14, 95% CI 1.74–2.63). Conclusions Hospital‐level and regional‐level strategies are needed to address newborn jaundice, which include a focus on management and discharge counselling on signs of jaundice.