Authors : C.N. Onyearugha and I.O. George
Abstract: Exchange Blood Transfusion (EBT) is the commonest mode of management of severe hyperbilirubinaemia in newborns, occasionally resulting in severe complications. To determine the frequency of EBT and the epidemiological characteristics of the newborns that underwent the procedure. The case notes of all newborns that underwent EBT at Abia State University Teaching Hospital from January 1st, 2005 to December 31st, 2009 were reviewed. The EBT rate among newborns that had jaundice was 27.9%. This was more common in males than females. Babies without antenatal care who were delivered outside the hospital had more EBT than the inborn (p = 0.001). The identified causes of the severe jaundice that lead to the EBT in the subjects in order of frequency were ABO incompatibility, sepsis, G6PD deficiency, prematurity and Rhesus isoimmunisation. The frequency of EBT is high in the centre. Lack of antenatal care by mothers contributed significantly to the development of severe NNJ necessitating EBT. It therefore becomes mandatory that expectant mothers should be educated on the need for antenatal visits in pregnancy and delivery in appropriate health facility.
C.N. Onyearugha and I.O. George, 2014. Exchange Blood Transfusion in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 9: 21-26.