The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Talensi District Hospital in the Upper East Region has seen a rise in cases of Neonatal Jaundice for four consecutive years.
In 2019, the facility recorded 25 cases. It increased to 61 in 2020 with two deaths, 85 in 2021, and a sharp rise to 111 in 2022.
Neonatal Jaundice is a liver condition that causes yellowing of a newborn baby’s skin and eyes and is common in preterm babies with some of the causes being an immature liver, infection, medication, or blood disorders which can sometimes become serious or lead to death.
Despite going into its third year without recording a death at the district hospital, officials at the facility are alarmed by the rising cases.
Speaking to Dreamz News at a durbar to sensitize health staff from the various sub-districts on the condition, Stephen Atindana Abane, the Nurse in Charge at the Talensi District Hospital said the major contributory factors are teenage pregnancy, poor antenatal attendance, and delivery at home.
“In the hospital, we are running into our third year without a death due to Neonatal Jaundice after two people died in 2020. But the cases are increasing. From 25 in 2019 to 61 in 2020 to 85 in 2021 then in 2022, you are talking about 111 cases. That is recorded. What about those that did not come to the hospital? The contributory factors are teenage pregnancy and poor antenatal care attendance. Then we can also look at the delivery. Those who deliver at home, and delivering at home involves a lot. You might not be able to assess the baby well and the mother might not assume the right posture for the baby to come out. So, we have realized that jaundice is quite common with such babies.” He disclosed
