Preliminary report on management of neonatal jaundice in maternity clinics of Sao Paulo city, Brazil

Objective: The treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia remains a problem because it can lead to sequelae in both children and adults. The objective of this study was to evaluate how neonatal jaundice is treated in maternity hospitals in the city of Sao Paulo. Methods: Prospective and transversal study on maternity hospitals in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. A questionnaire was applied to doctors working at neonatal wards within maternity hospitals in the city of Sao Paulo, divided into public (n = 6) and private maternity clinics (n = 18). The results obtained from the different items of the questionnaire were then compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney test when appropriate, and a p value < 0.005 was considered significant. Results: There were no significant differences between the two types of maternity hospitals in relation to the treatment method for neonatal jaundice. However, among private maternities there were some that did not have written guidelines (5/17) and those that performed exchange transfusion (3/18). Teaching was significantly more present among public (100%) than private maternity hospitals (17.6%). The mean serum bilirubin levels to initiate treatment did not show significant differences between the two types of maternities. Some clinical practices in use by maternity hospitals are not evidence based. Conclusions: The present data were considered preliminary and showed that further research in the area is required and if our findings are confirmed, indicate the need for continuous medical education on the part of health professionals in charge of newborns.