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Review
. 2024 Feb 29;66(1):e1-e5.
doi: 10.4102/safp.v66i1.5833.

Innovative approaches to neonatal jaundice diagnosis and management in low-resourced settings

Haroon Saloojee  1
Affiliations
Review

Innovative approaches to neonatal jaundice diagnosis and management in low-resourced settings

Haroon Saloojee. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). .

Abstract

Persistent challenges in addressing severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in resource-constrained settings have led to ongoing and often unacceptable rates of morbidity, disability and mortality. These challenges stem from limitations such as inadequate, inefficient or financially inaccessible diagnostic and therapeutic options. However, over the past decade, noteworthy innovations have emerged to address some of these hurdles, and these innovations are increasingly poised for broader implementation. This review provides a concise summary of these novel, economically viable diagnostic solutions, encompassing point-of-care assays and smartphone applications, as well as treatment modalities, notably more effective phototherapy and filtered sunlight. These advancements hold promise and have the potential to meaningfully reduce the burden of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, signifying a promising shift in the landscape of neonatal healthcare.

Keywords: bilirubin; hyperbilirubinaemia; neonatal jaundice; phototherapy; resource-constrained.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Bilimetrix Bilistick point of care assay device.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Bili-ruler icterometer.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
BiliCam moblie phone application.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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