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Transcutaneous Screening for Risk of Severe Hyperbilirubinemia in South African Newborns
Recruiting
Trial ID: NCT02613676
Purpose
In South Africa, healthy term newborns are usually discharged early (<72 hours after
delivery). Many studies have shown that hospital readmission rates have increased with this
practice, and jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia is the most common cause of readmission of
newborns. Peak serum bilirubin levels usually occur on postnatal days 3-5, by when many have
already been discharged putting the infant at increased risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia.
Severe neonatal jaundice still constitutes an important cause of neonatal mortality and
morbidity in Africa. Screening all newborns for the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia before
hospital could help in early identification of hyperbilirubinemia and early intervention and
potentially prevent unwanted consequences like bilirubin induced neurological dysfunction.
However, there are conflicting recommendations on the use of universal transcutaneous
bilirubin screening for jaundice in all newborns before hospital discharge.
Official Title
Transcutaneous Screening for Risk of Severe Hyperbilirubinemia in South African Newborns
Stanford Investigator(s)
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- All newborns ≥ 35 wks gestational age and ≥ 1800g
- Babies who who are < 72 hours of life
Exclusion Criteria:
- Prior use of phototherapy
- Major congenital anomaly
- Babies born < 35 wks gestational age or < 1800g
Intervention(s):
device: Transcutaneous bilirubin screening
other: Standard care (Visual inspection)
Recruiting
Contact Information
Stanford University
School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford,
CA
94305