Comparison of infants with jaundice due to maternal diabetes and infants with unknown jaundice

Jaundice is the common cause of hospitalization of infants in the first month after birth. Therefore, detection of risk factors associated with jaundice can effect on its process and complications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of diabetic mother's infants and comparing with infants with unknown jaundice.
In this cross-sectional study, among 2,800 infants with jaundice in Ghaem hospital in Mashhad during the 2007 to 2014, features of 59 infants of diabetic mother's (case group) and 78 infants with unknown jaundice (control group) were analyzed. After confirming of jaundice (Bilirubin ≥ 17 mg/dl) in newborns based on examination of pediatrician and laboratory results, a researcher made questionnaire containing maternal demographic data, (maternal age, parity, maternal problems during pregnancy, route of delivery). Also neonatal characteristics including age, sex, birth weight, current weight, duration of hospitalization, current age, age of recovery and laboratory data (Bilirubin, direct bilirubin, hematocrit, platelet, sodium, potassium, blood urea nitrogen, Cr, TSH, T4) were assessed. After data collection and recording information in SPSS software, version 19.5 (IBM SPSS, Armonk, NY, USA), by using tables, charts and statistical indices, the study was evaluated. Data were analyzed using statistical tests such as Mann-Whitney, Chi-square tests after normality control. Comparison of the two groups in normal distribution with t-test and for non-standard data with Mann-Whitney test. Also for definitive variables Chi-square test was used. P-value less than 0.50 was the significant level minimum.
In this study, the prevalence of jaundice due to maternal diabetes was 2.10 percent. Birth weight (P=0.02), current age (P=0.003), parity (P=0.000), maternal age (P=0.000), age of recovery (P=0.04), cesarean section (P=0.001), prematurity (P=0.000), maternal problems during pregnancy (P=0.000), abnormal physical examinations (P=0.001) in diabetic mother's infants and Bilirubin (P=0.000), length of hospitalization (P=0.003), in infants with unknown jaundice were higher.
The infant of diabetic mother are at increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications. Neonatal complications consist of high birth weight, preterm labor, more jaundice and late recovery, abnormal physical examinations. Also, maternal complications during pregnancy and cesarean section were high.