Neonatal Jaundice: The Other Side of the Coin in the Development of Allergy.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aims to assess the association between different characteristics of neonatal jaundice and common types of allergic diseases in childhood (as bronchial asthma, acute urticaria, and allergic rhinitis).

STUDY DESIGN

A case-control study is conducted on 300 allergic children and 300 healthy children as a control group at Fayoum University Hospital. The study was conducted over a span of 2 years, from May 2016 to May 2018. Bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and acute urticaria diagnoses were based on physician clinical examination using specific guidelines for each. For the data regarding children's demographic and maternal characteristics, a structured questionnaire was used. Regarding neonatal jaundice, data were collected from the patients' hospital records.

RESULTS

Children with neonatal jaundice are more likely to develop allergy with 57% higher than neonates without jaundice. Early onset jaundice and treatment by phototherapy have statistically significant association with the development of allergic diseases.

CONCLUSION

Different aspects of neonatal jaundice are associated with the development of common allergic diseases in children.