Ann Schwoebel | PubMed Health

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Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Evidence of bilirubin-related brain damage has been reported in infants with kernicterus discharged as healthy from well-baby nurseries. Lapses in care have been attributed as root causes for kernicterus in an era when there should be no barriers to safe and effective bilirubin reduction strategies. Between 1984 and 2002, at least 125 cases of kernicterus occurred in the United States. This may be an underestimate because kernicterus is not a reportable condition in this country. In almost all cases, kernicterus is a preventable condition. The updated 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommend a systems approach, which, if implemented by all birthing institutions, should prevent virtually all cases of kernicterus in term and near-term infants.

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PubMedDate not supplied

A systems approach for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term and near-term newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To propose and implement a family-centered systems approach to manage newborn jaundice for safer outcomes. DESIGN: Observational study for known adverse outcomes. SETTING: Semiprivate urban birthing hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: 31,059 well babies discharged as healthy from a cohort of 41,961 live births (1990-2000). INTERVENTIONS: Incremental implementation of a systems approach that incorporated a hospital policy to (a) authorize nurses to obtain a bilirubin (total serum/transcutaneous) measurement for clinical jaundice, (b) universal predischarge total serum bilirubin (at routine metabolic screening), and (c) targeted follow-up, using the bilirubin nomogram (hour-specific, percentile-based total serum bilirubin/transcutaneous bilirubin). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Known adverse outcomes assessed for early- and late-onset severe hyperbilirubinemia before, during, and after systems approach implementation. RESULTS: Adverse outcomes decreased for well babies: exchange transfusion, intensive phototherapy, and readmission. During the study period, there were no "never events" (total serum bilirubin greater than or equal to 30 mg/dl), while "close calls" (total serum bilirubin greater than or equal to 25 mg/dl) were 1 in 15,000 as compared to a reported incidence of 1 in 625. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced adverse events, significant reduction in close calls, and no never events met family expectations for safer experiences with this approach.

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