Outcomes of neonatal jaundice in Taiwan

Objective To investigate the burden of clinically significant neonatal jaundice (SNJ) in Taiwan, 2000-2010. Study design The nationwide, population-based health insurance database in Taiwan was used to investigate the incidence, kernicterus rate and mortality rates of SNJ cohort born between 2000 and 2010. Results From 2000 to 2010, up to 242 546 patients admitted with neonatal jaundice (NJ) were identified. The incidence of SNJ was 5.9% in 2000 and increased to 13.7% in 2010 (P<0.001). The mortality rate significantly decreased from 0.51% in 2000 to 0.26% in 2010 (P<0.001) and the average incidence of kernicterus was 0.86 per 100 000 live births, indicating dramatically decreased rates compared with earlier rates in Taiwan. Conclusions In spite of the increased incidence rates, the rates of mortality and kernicterus in patients with NJ significantly declined in Taiwan. The public health prevention programme, clinicians' awareness and effective management might contribute to the reduction of these acute severe sequelae.