Iranian Journal of Neonatology

Iranian Journal of Neonatology

Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infections in Term and Preterm Neonates with Prolonged Jaundice

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Jumana Hanna Albaramki 1
Waheed Hammad 2
Tamer Barakat 2
Mohammad Al-Sanouri 3
Awwab Hammad 2
Fareed Khdair Ahmad 1
1 Department of Pediatrics ,School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
2 School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
3 Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
10.22038/ijn.2025.76877.2496
Abstract
Background: Our objective is to find out the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI) among neonates with prolonged jaundice, and to review their clinical characteristics, causative microorganisms, treatment used, and underlying renal structural abnormalities.
Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of neonates with prolonged jaundice over a 5-year period at Jordan University Hospital. The study included term and preterm neonates less than 5 weeks of age with prolonged hyperbilirubinemia which was defined as persistent elevation of serum bilirubin of more than 8 mg/dl in term neonates more than two weeks of age and more than three weeks for the preterm neonates.
Results: 280 newborns had prolonged jaundice and the majority were full term. The two most common causes for prolonged jaundice were urinary tract infection and breast milk jaundice. The prevalence of urinary tract infection in our study was high, reaching 33.9 %. Escherichia coli was the most common organism in neonates with UTI. Renal anomalies were detected in 9.5%. In term neonates, the mean age of presentation and the highest bilirubin levels recorded were significantly higher in neoantes with prolonged jaundice caused by UTI compared to other cause of prolonged jaundice (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Our study showed a high rate of UTI in neonates with prolonged jaundice especially in preterm neonates which necessitates appropriate screening and management of UTI in prolonged jaundiced neonates.
 
Keywords
Hyperbilirubinemia
Prolonged Jaundice
Urinary tract infection
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Iranian Journal of Neonatology
Volume 16, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 24-30