Education and Training
Transcutaneous Screening for Risk of Severe Hyperbilirubinemia in South African Newborns
In South Africa, healthy term newborns are usually discharged early (<72 hours after delivery). Many studies have shown that hospital readmission rates have increased with this practice, and jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia is the most common cause of readmission of newborns. Peak serum bilirubin levels usually occur on postnatal days 3-5, by when many have already been discharged putting the infant at increased risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia. Severe neonatal jaundice still constitutes an important cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in Africa. Screening all newborns for the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia before hospital could help in early identification of hyperbilirubinemia and early intervention and potentially prevent unwanted consequences like bilirubin induced neurological dysfunction. However, there are conflicting recommendations on the use of universal transcutaneous bilirubin screening for jaundice in all newborns before hospital discharge.
Stanford is currently accepting patients for this trial.
Stanford Investigator(s):
Intervention(s):
- device: Transcutaneous bilirubin screening
- other: Standard care (Visual inspection)
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- All newborns ≥ 35 wks gestational age and ≥ 1800g
- Babies who who are < 72 hours of life
Exclusion Criteria:
- Prior use of phototherapy
- Major congenital anomaly
- Babies born < 35 wks gestational age or < 1800g
Ages Eligible for Study
6 Hours - 72 Hours
Genders Eligible for Study
All
Now accepting new patients
Contact Information
Stanford University
School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford,
CA
94305
Recruiting