Adoption of the American Academy of Pediatrics' neonatal hyperbilirubinemia guidelines and its effect on blood exchange transfusion rate in a tertiary care center in Amman, Jordan.

INTRODUCTION

Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can cause mortality and serious morbidities. When phototherapy fails, neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia should undergo double volume blood exchange transfusion (BET). As this procedure carries a significant risk of mortality and morbidity, adopting guidelines for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is critical to avoid hyperbilirubinemia toxicity and also the complication of an unindicated procedure.

METHODS

This study investigated the causes, complications, and trend of BET rate in our unit over a 13-year period. The medical charts and laboratory databases of all infants who underwent BET in Jordan University Hospital between 2003 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The rate of exchange cases decreased significantly after adopting the guidelines of American Academy of Pediatrics (<0.0001). Most neonates were term newborns (69%). Average birth weight was 2,800 g. The most common causes of exchange transfusion were non-hemolytic conditions. Late prematurity alone accounted for 20% of the cases. Thrombocytopenia was the most commonly encountered complication (33%). Chronic neurological complications were seen in 12% of those who were followed for >12 months of age.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a clear decline in the rate of BET after implementing the guidelines of American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition to improving the strategies for the identification and follow-up of at-risk newborns, we should intensify our efforts to prevent the progression of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia to the exchange level by enhancing parents' awareness of this potentially harmful neonatal condition.