Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hyperbilirubinemia Among Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Saint Peter Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

<i>Introduction</i>: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a widespread and significant clinical problem among neonates worldwide. Globally, every year about 1.1 million babies develop it and the vast majority resides in developing countries like Ethiopia. It is a major cause of hospital neonatal intensive care unit admission and readmissions during the neonatal period. As far as our knowledge is concerned there is no such study conducted in St. peter specialized hospital so far. Hence the objective of this study is to determine Prevalence and associated factors of hyperbilirubinemia among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Saint Peter Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from January, 1/2022 to January 1, 2023. <i>Methods</i>: A Facility based Retrospective cross sectional study was conducted among one hundred forty two (142) neonates admitted at St. peter specialized hospital by using systematic random sampling technique. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and, potential associated factors for hyperbilirubinemia were collected by a structured data extraction checklist. For this study, a total serum bilirubin level ≥5 mg/dL was taken as the cutoff point to diagnose hyperbilirubinemia. Data entry was done by EPI info version 7, and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Binary logistic and multiple variable logistic regression models were used to identify associated factors. Association between were considered statistically significant only if A two-sided P-value <0.05 at 95% confidence level. <i>Result</i>: A total of 142 neonates were included in the study making response rate 100%. The overall prevalence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was 35 (24.6 %) with (95% CI: 17.6-31.7). Among several possible factors: Being male sex [AOR]:7.7, 95%CI (1.88, 32.1)], Birth trauma [AOR]: 17, 95%CI (3.8, 76.6), neonatal sepsis [AOR]: 10.9, 95%CI (2.9, 41.79)] and ABO incompatibility [AOR]: 22, 95%CI (4.7, 102.05)] were independent determinants of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. <i>Conclusion and recommendation</i>: The prevalence of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia was quite high. Among identified associated factors for hyperbilirubinemia in this study: neonatal sex, Birth trauma, Sepsis and ABO incompatibility were the leading cause. Hence Health care provider working at NICU should undergo routine screening and investigations for TSB are imperative for early detection and timely intervention.