PHYSIOLOGICAL JAUNDICE IN 51 NEONATES

ABSTRACT
Background: Neonatal jaundice is the common reason for admission & readmission of neonates to hospital throughout
the ward. Among other causes of neonatal jaundice, physiological jaundice is the leading causes. It is due to short life
span of neonatal red blood cells & due to immaturity of liver ability to metabolize bilirubin.
Results: Total number of neonates was 51, male 22 & female 29, 44 were breast fed while 6 were bottle fed, physiological
jaundice accounted for 36 (64.8%), Rh incompatibility for 5 (9.3%), G6PD deficiency for 5 (9,3%), sepsis 3 (5.6%),
hereditary spherocytosis 1 (1.9%). Hypothyroid 1 (1.9%). The mean bilirubin was 8.21 mg/dl SD 1.83. Breast feeding
was statistically highly significant with physiological jaundice (P 0.0001).
Conclusion: Breast feeding is statistically significantly associated with physiological jaundice