Critical overview of the management of neonatal jaundice in the UK.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the current management of early neonatal jaundice in the UK and to evaluate whether the current practices are evidence based.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey was carried out among identified lead paediatricians of neonatal intensive care units.


RESULTS
The survey found markedly differing practices for the recognition, investigation and treatment of neonatal jaundice. This applies particularly to confirmation of the clinical suspicion of jaundice; use of invasive and non-invasive technologies for diagnosis; preferred wavelength and intensity of light used for treatment; and whether birth weight, gestational age and postnatal age should influence treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The study found a lack of consistency in the management of jaundiced infants in the UK. The evidence-based practice currently available does not appear to have been incorporated into treatment protocols.
Chowdhury
Ashoka D
AD
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Poole Hospital NHS Trust, Poole BH15 2JB, UK.
Hussey
Martin H
MH
Shortland
David B
DB
D002983:Clinical Competence; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000592:standards*; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D007647:Kernicterus / Q000209:etiology; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000592:standards; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom