Pediatricians’ knowledge and perception of the care of the infant with jaundice

Aim: Neonatal jaundice is a common cause for emergency department referral in the first weeks of life. Indirect bilirubin in high levels can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate primary care pediatricians’ self-perception, attitudes, a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Miri Dotan, Yael Kovalski, Dan Osovsky, Hagit Levine, Michael Osovsky
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hygeia Press di Corridori Marinella 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jpnim.com/index.php/jpnim/article/view/1723
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850260337927913472
author Miri Dotan
Yael Kovalski
Dan Osovsky
Hagit Levine
Michael Osovsky
author_facet Miri Dotan
Yael Kovalski
Dan Osovsky
Hagit Levine
Michael Osovsky
author_sort Miri Dotan
collection DOAJ
description Aim: Neonatal jaundice is a common cause for emergency department referral in the first weeks of life. Indirect bilirubin in high levels can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate primary care pediatricians’ self-perception, attitudes, and competency regarding the care of the jaundiced neonate. We evaluated the pediatricians’ knowledge of and adherence to the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics and of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Methods: Structured questionnaires were distributed online by electronic mailing lists to community pediatricians. Results: Overall, 188 physicians responded. Responses varied widely regarding the interpretation of cutaneous bilirubin levels. Adding milk formula to breastfeeding was recommended by 47 (25.0%) respondents. Twenty-six (13.8%) recommended temporary breastfeeding cessation to decrease bilirubin levels. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of community pediatricians who responded to our survey described care for jaundiced neonates that deviates from current guidelines. Education should address the misconception that ceasing breastfeeding effectively lowers bilirubin levels.
format Article
id doaj-art-3764caf0e5344e5281b0f8376281fe13
institution OA Journals
issn 2281-0692
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Hygeia Press di Corridori Marinella
record_format Article
series Journal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine
spelling doaj-art-3764caf0e5344e5281b0f8376281fe132025-08-20T01:55:39ZengHygeia Press di Corridori MarinellaJournal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine2281-06922025-04-01141e140111e14011110.7363/1401111742Pediatricians’ knowledge and perception of the care of the infant with jaundiceMiri Dotan0Yael Kovalski1Dan Osovsky2Hagit Levine3Michael Osovsky4Kathy and Lee Graub Cystic Fibrosis Center, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel; School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelSchool of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Child Health Center, Clalit Health Services, Ramle, IsraelSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelKathy and Lee Graub Cystic Fibrosis Center, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel; School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelSchool of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Neonatology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikvah, IsraelAim: Neonatal jaundice is a common cause for emergency department referral in the first weeks of life. Indirect bilirubin in high levels can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate primary care pediatricians’ self-perception, attitudes, and competency regarding the care of the jaundiced neonate. We evaluated the pediatricians’ knowledge of and adherence to the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics and of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Methods: Structured questionnaires were distributed online by electronic mailing lists to community pediatricians. Results: Overall, 188 physicians responded. Responses varied widely regarding the interpretation of cutaneous bilirubin levels. Adding milk formula to breastfeeding was recommended by 47 (25.0%) respondents. Twenty-six (13.8%) recommended temporary breastfeeding cessation to decrease bilirubin levels. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of community pediatricians who responded to our survey described care for jaundiced neonates that deviates from current guidelines. Education should address the misconception that ceasing breastfeeding effectively lowers bilirubin levels.https://jpnim.com/index.php/jpnim/article/view/1723breastfeedinghyperbilirubinemiajaundiceneonateprimary carequestionnaire
spellingShingle Miri Dotan
Yael Kovalski
Dan Osovsky
Hagit Levine
Michael Osovsky
Pediatricians’ knowledge and perception of the care of the infant with jaundice
Journal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine
breastfeeding
hyperbilirubinemia
jaundice
neonate
primary care
questionnaire
title Pediatricians’ knowledge and perception of the care of the infant with jaundice
title_full Pediatricians’ knowledge and perception of the care of the infant with jaundice
title_fullStr Pediatricians’ knowledge and perception of the care of the infant with jaundice
title_full_unstemmed Pediatricians’ knowledge and perception of the care of the infant with jaundice
title_short Pediatricians’ knowledge and perception of the care of the infant with jaundice
title_sort pediatricians knowledge and perception of the care of the infant with jaundice
topic breastfeeding
hyperbilirubinemia
jaundice
neonate
primary care
questionnaire
url https://jpnim.com/index.php/jpnim/article/view/1723
work_keys_str_mv AT miridotan pediatriciansknowledgeandperceptionofthecareoftheinfantwithjaundice
AT yaelkovalski pediatriciansknowledgeandperceptionofthecareoftheinfantwithjaundice
AT danosovsky pediatriciansknowledgeandperceptionofthecareoftheinfantwithjaundice
AT hagitlevine pediatriciansknowledgeandperceptionofthecareoftheinfantwithjaundice
AT michaelosovsky pediatriciansknowledgeandperceptionofthecareoftheinfantwithjaundice