Natural history and predictive risk factors of prolonged unconjugated jaundice in the newborn

Background: This study aimed to investigate the natural course and risk factors for prolonged unconjugated jaundice (PUJ) in neonates. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study conducted in a tertiary care referral hospital of Northern India. The study included neonates who presented with clinical jaundice beyond 14 days of age. A detailed history, clinical examination and investigations were performed in all. All were followed till the normalization of clinical jaundice or up to 8 weeks of age, whichever was earlier. The key outcome measure was time to normalization of PUJ. Predictive risk factors for PUJ were analyzed by comparing with matched controls. Regression analysis was done for independent predictive risk factors of PUJ. Results: A total of 71 infants presented with prolonged jaundice (PJ). Out of these, 66 infants (93%) had PUJ. Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency was the most commonly identified association of PUJ (24%). The median duration of jaundice in infants with PUJ was 5 weeks (range: 5–8). PJ in siblings (OR 2.9 [1.1–7.6]), oxytocin use during labor (OR 3.4 [1.1–10.4]) and G6PD deficiency (OR 4.0 [1.1–14.1]) were independent predictors of PUJ. Conclusions: Irrespective of the etiology, by 8 weeks, PUJ disappeared in all infants. G6PD deficiency was the most common association of PUJ. A history of PJ in siblings, use of oxytocin during labor and G6PD deficiency were independent predictors for PUJ.