By Naa Shormei Odonkor, GNA
Kumasi, June 1, GNA – Prospective parents have been advised to prioritise undergoing antenatal and preconception screening to help identify conditions that may increase the risk of neonatal jaundice and other newborn health complications.
Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) Dr Heindel Tonyi Senayah, a Specialist Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, said neonatal jaundice is a common health condition characterised by the yellow discolouration of a baby’s eyes and skin.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he noted that the yellow discolouration of a baby’s eyes and skin resulted from elevated bilirubin levels in the baby’s blood.
He mentioned that there were two types of neonatal jaundice which include physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice in infants.
He indicated that physiological jaundice was the most common condition diagnosed in babies which occurred after 24 hours following childbirth and could be resolved with minimal intervention.
However, pathological jaundice is a more serious condition that requires prompt medical attention to prevent its complications, according to the doctor.
“Pathological jaundice often manifests within the first 24 hours of life and may result from conditions such as blood group incompatibility, haemolytic disorders, infections, liver disease, metabolic disorders, and certain genetic abnormalities,” said Wg Cdr Senayah.
Consequently, he stressed the importance of undergoing comprehensive antenatal care, including blood group and Rhesus (Rh) factor testing for both parents.
According to him, Rh incompatibility may occur when an Rh-negative mother gets pregnant with an Rh-positive baby.
However, Wg Cdr Senayah said although the condition could lead to the occurrence of pathological jaundice in the baby (ies), it could be managed when the due process was followed.
“With advances in antenatal care and the appropriate administration of anti-D immunoglobulin, the risks associated with Rh incompatibility can be substantially minimized”, he explained.
The treatment options of neonatal jaundice, Dr. Senayah indicated, are determined by its severity and its underlying cause.
He noted that some standard management approaches included ensuring adequate feeding and hydration of the baby, phototherapy (using specialized blue light), and exchange transfusion in severe cases.
Dr. Senayah explained that an exchange transfusion is the replacement of the affected baby’s blood with a donor’s blood.
“Treatment should also address any underlying conditions contributing to elevated bilirubin levels,” he said.
He said the dangers of delayed detection and untimely treatment of the condition could lead to the development of a severe health condition called Kernicterus.
Kernicterus is a rare but preventable form of permanent neurological damage caused by excessive bilirubin deposition in the brain.
Dr Senayah said the Rh incompatibility should not be regarded as a deterrent to marriage or childbearing.
Rather, he noted, that the Rh incompatible must be an indication for appropriate medical supervision throughout a pregnancy journey.
He implored healthcare providers and parents to remain vigilant for signs of jaundice in newborns, particularly during the first few days following birth.
This, Dr Senayah said, would ensure early detection and timely intervention which is critical in preventing severe complications.
He advised parents to seek immediate medical attention if they observe yellowing of their baby’s skin or eyes, poor feeding, lethargy, or any other concerning symptoms.
Dr. Senayah urged expectant mothers, parents, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to recognize neonatal jaundice as a potentially serious medical condition requiring timely assessment and appropriate treatment to ensure the best possible outcomes for affected infants.
GNA
Edited by Yussif Ibrahim/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Naa Shormei Odonkor