Jaundice in babies: implications for community screening for biliary atresia

Abstract

In Solihull Health District health visitors examine all babies between 12 and 14 days of age. We recorded jaundice at this primary visit for convenience of clinical practice. Over six months the health visitors noted name, date of birth, date of examination, method of feeding, and presence of clinical jaundice (defined as yellow skin pigmentation). If jaundice was present they noted the colour of the eyes, stools, and urine and whether the colour of stools and urine was based on their observation or a parental report. Further reports were submitted at 4 and 6 weeks if the babies were still jaundiced. The study excluded babies still in hospital but included those who had moved into the district in the first 14 days of life. Denominator data were taken from the national child health computer system.