By Michael Gwarisa
A new study has revealed a high prevalence of neonatal jaundice in Zimbabwe, with nearly 46 percent of newborns at Westend Hospital in Harare diagnosed with the condition in 2021. The study, published in Social Medicine, highlights low birth weight, prematurity, blood group incompatibility, and maternal diabetes as the leading risk factors.
Neonatal jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high bilirubin levels, is a major cause of newborn hospital admissions globally. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including brain damage and death.
The study, conducted by Chiwoniso Mitchelle Kahiya, Abdoul Razak Mahaman Yacoubou, and Mahamane Salissou Maibouge Tanko, analyzed 611 newborns at Westend Hospital. 281 babies (45.99%) were diagnosed with neonatal jaundice, a figure that researchers describe as alarmingly high.
The findings show that babies with low birth weight were particularly vulnerable, with a 91.3 percent jaundice prevalence among those weighing less than 2.0 kg at birth. Prematurity was another significant factor, with 57.5 percent of babies born before 30 weeks developing jaundice.
There is a clear link between prematurity, low birth weight, and neonatal jaundice. Preterm infants have immature livers, which struggle to process bilirubin efficiently,” the study reads.
The study also found a strong correlation between jaundice and maternal health conditions. Babies born to mothers with diabetes had a 56.79 percent jaundice rate, compared to 33.8 percent among those born to non-diabetic mothers.
“Maternal diabetes appears to increase the risk of neonatal jaundice, likely due to the baby’s impaired ability to regulate glucose and other metabolic processes.”
Additionally, blood group incompatibility was identified as a major contributor. Babies born to mothers with type B-negative blood had the highest prevalence (80 percent), followed by those with A-negative (77.3 percent) and O-negative (61.1 percent).
The study also found that male newborns were more likely to develop jaundice, with 52.9 percent affected, compared to 40.2 percent of female newborns.
Moreover, babies who did not receive colostrum—the nutrient-rich first milk produced after birth—had a significantly higher risk of jaundice (57.4 percent), compared to 34.3 percent among those who were breastfed immediately.
“Early breastfeeding plays a critical role in preventing jaundice by helping newborns pass bilirubin through stool and urine.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies neonatal jaundice as a leading cause of neonatal death worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings like Zimbabwe. The study’s authors stress the need for improved screening, early diagnosis, and public awareness to reduce complications.
“With nearly half of newborns affected, there is an urgent need for interventions, including better prenatal care, improved neonatal monitoring, and increased breastfeeding support,” the suggested.
The findings highlight the need for national policies to address neonatal health, particularly in managing risk factors like prematurity and maternal diabetes. Experts urge health facilities across Zimbabwe to adopt routine jaundice screening and promote breastfeeding education to reduce the burden of the condition.
### About the Study
The research, titled Prevalence of Neonatal Jaundice and its Associated Risk Factors in Babies Born at Westend Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe, was conducted by Chiwoniso Mitchelle Kahiya, Abdoul Razak Mahaman Yacoubou, and Mahamane Salissou Maibouge Tanko. It was published in Social Medicine in August 2023.
