Abstract:
The present study was conducted on a group of Iranian
mothers with icteric newborn in order to identify any wrong knowledge
and improper practices related to the neonatal jaundice. Such an estimate
of knowledge and practices of mothers may be required for implementing
the educational programs on which the preventive measures of kernicterus
are principally thought to be depended. Between June 2004 and February
2007, 1666 mothers with icteric newborn hospitalized at a single center
were enrolled. A questionnaire was used to assess the participants` knowledge
and practice of neonatal jaundice. A knowledge score was calculated based
on the responses. The mean knowledge score was 3.38 ±1.23 (out of
6). About 77% of the mothers had moderate-to-high level of knowledge of
neonatal jaundice. Approximately one-third of the mothers consulted a
physician within 24 h of appearance of jaundice and 13.8% declared that
they waited and managed their children with traditional remedies until
they sought medical advices. Furthermore, 32.2% of the mothers discontinued
feeding their icteric offspring with colored foods and colostrums. Hence,
42.8% of the mothers acted weakly with regard to their icteric offspring.
The health care workers were the participants` major source of information
about neonatal jaundice. The present study determined a fairly adequate
knowledge of Iranian mothers about the neonatal jaundice with incomparable
level of related practices. The findings of this study should be considered
seriously by the local health centers and the medical professionals to
provide consistent information about jaundice and its causes for the parents.
Abdolahad Amirshaghaghi, Kamyar Ghabili, Mohammadali M. Shoja and Hossein Kooshavar, 2008. Neonatal Jaundice: Knowledge and Practice of Iranian Mothers with Icteric Newborns. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 11: 942-945.
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