Background: Neonatal jaundice is a physiological process that occurs normally for every infant to a varying degree. In some cases, this process becomes pathological and imposes an increased risk of morbidity and mortality for the infant. The aim of this study was to assess the adherence level of various physicians to different guidelines of management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Iraq. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in multiple outpatient clinics in various Iraqi provinces, from February 2018 to February 2019. The study involved 130 physicians, who were divided into emergency physicians (EPs), general practitioners (GPs), and pediatricians (PDs), and assessed their compliance to guidelines for management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia using a questionnaire, which included providing the correct management for a test case scenario. Results: PDs had significantly longer discharge times compared to EPs and GPs. In total, 91.7% of PDs always tested the neonate for bilirubin levels before discharge, while 5.5% of GPs and 0% of EP did so. Regarding follow-up visits, 16.7%, 4.8% and 45.2% of PDs, EPs and GPs, respectively, scheduled a follow-up between 49-72 hours; 47.6% and 38.1% of EPs scheduled a follow-up at ≤24 hours and 25-48 hours, respectively. In addition, 91.7% of PDs gave the correct answer for the management of the test case scenario, followed by 58.9% of GPs, and 38.1% of EPs. About half of PDs extended neonates length of stay beyond 48 hours. Conclusion: GPs and EPs show lower adherence levels for the management of neonatal jaundice than PDs, which indicates that these physicians adhere well to current management guidelines from the WHO, AAP, and NICE.
Keywords: adherence; neonatal hyperbilirubinemia; pediatrician; physicians.
Copyright: © 2020 Hameed NN et al.