https://doi.org/10.4081/acbr.2022.240

Phototherapy services for newborns with jaundice: Availability and practices in Southeast Nigeria

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2022)
Submitted: 25 September 2022
Accepted: 24 November 2022
Published: 29 December 2022
phototherapy, newborns, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, southeast Nigeria
Abstract Views: 230
PDF: 124
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Authors

Chijioke E. Ezeudu
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria.
Chidiebere D.I. Osuorah
Prairie Mountain Health Region, Manitoba, Canada.
Ogochukwu N. Iloh
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1746-5192
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
Kenechukwu K. Iloh
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
Vivian O. Onukwuli
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1993-7197
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
Obianuju O. Igbokwe
obianuju.igbokwe@unn.edu.ng
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
Linda Nwokeji–Onwe
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6804-5964
Department of Pediatrics, Alex Ekwueme University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria.
I. Ezinne Nwaneli
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2708-7284
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria.
Kosisochukwu E. Udeogu
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku, Ozalla, Nigeria.

Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia remains a cause of neurologic damage in children in low-income countries. Phototherapy, which is the standard of care for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is not only necessary but an essential neonatal service that should be readily available in all health facilities with maternal and newborn services. The study describes the availability and distribution of phototherapy service in secondary health facilities in Southeast Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in four of the largest cities in Southeast Nigeria using purposive and convenient sampling methods. A questionnaire was administered and information regarding the availability of phototherapy machines, its use and availability of personnel was obtained. A total of 77 facilities were surveyed. Fifty-five (71.4%) of the studied facilities manage jaundice in their facility. Of these, 45/55 (81.8%) use phototherapy in the management of jaundice in newborns. The most used phototherapy is Light-Emitting Diode (LED) (42.2%). Others were fluorescent (26.6%), fabricated LED (11.1%) and fabricated fluorescent (20%). Routine serum bilirubin assay was done in 60 (77.9%) facilities even though majority was done in laboratories outside the facility. Non-invasive serum bilirubin monitoring was available in only two facilities. Only 21 (47.7%) had a servicing protocol for their phototherapy machines, and just 12 (27.7%) of these services were offered by a biomedical engineer. Phototherapy use in secondary health facilities is suboptimal. There is urgent need for states health authorities to collaborate with private health facilities especially those offering maternal and child services in provision of phototherapy machines and help in the training health workers for optimal management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

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How to Cite

Ezeudu, C. E., Osuorah, C. D., Iloh, O. N., Iloh , K. K., Onukwuli, V. O., Igbokwe , O. O., … Udeogu , K. E. (2022). Phototherapy services for newborns with jaundice: Availability and practices in Southeast Nigeria. Annals of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/acbr.2022.240
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