Abstract
Background: Jaundice is a condition marked by yellow discoloration of the sclera and mucous membranes due to excessive bilirubin levels. Neonatal jaundice is caused by a disproportion between the production and excretion of bilirubin and, therefore, is a common issue demanding medical care.
Objective: The main objective of the review is to synthesize the existing knowledge on Incidence, Diagnosis, and determinants of Neonatal Jaundice in Developing Countries.
Methods: A systematic search was performed using the databases of Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct involving research published between 2010 and 2024. The review included observational studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and original research articles that were published in English. The extraction of data focused on study design, location, prevalence rates, measurement of bilirubin and identified risk factors.
Results: Overall, 26 studies were found to satisfy the inclusion criteria out of 759 initial studies. The prevalence of neonatal jaundice throughout the studies was 36.5% (n=17165). The diagnosis was done through bilirubin measurement; which ranged from 5mg/dL to 18 mg/dL among studies. The analysis identified significant heterogeneity in risk factors and the most common risk factors were found to be infection (sepsis), prematurity, hemolytic disorders and physiological factors.
Conclusion: Neonatal jaundice is a major healthcare challenge in the world, with multiple risk factors causing its prevalence in developing countries. The management must involve thorough screening and prevention at the initial stages and depends on the risk factors that are prevalent in a particular area. Ongoing efforts are needed to standardize diagnostic and management protocols, particularly in low- and middle-income countries to reduce neonatal illness and death associated with hyperbilirubinemia