Neonatal jaundice and the immigrant population: A comparison study at a low-risk maternity ward in Norway

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine differences in distribution of neonatal jaundice by migration indicators. In this population-based study at the low-risk maternity ward at Baerum Hospital in Norway, 11,516 mother–child pairs were enrolled and divided into 7 groups by regions/country of origin. First registered live birth babies of mothers who gave birth between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2010 were included. The study found that a total of 769 infants were treated for neonatal jaundice. Compared to Norwegians, infants born to mothers from East, Southeast and Central Asia had an increased risk and African infants had a decreased risk of neonatal jaundice. Jaundiced infants of African origin were more often transferred to neonatal intensive care units. Ethnicity is an important factor affecting the risk of neonatal jaundice requiring hospitalization in our clinic. To reduce this risk, parents should be adequately informed about the signs of neonatal jaundice requiring medical intervention.