Clinical Characteristics of Infants Hospitalized for Neonatal Jaundice: A Retrospective Study
Abstract
Objective: Neonatal jaundice (NJ) can lead to irreversible brain damage in a small number of infants, and its risk factors vary significantly across geographical regions. Demographic and clinical data of preterm, early term, and term neonates hospitalized solely for NJ were analyzed to describe the most prevalent characteristics and associated factors in the region. Methods: This retrospective, single-center cohort study included 1000 consecutive infants hospitalized for NJ at a tertiary care center in Istanbul between January 2015 and February 2021. Demographic and clinical data were collected from hospital records. Infants admitted for other primary diagnoses who subsequently developed jaundice were excluded. Results: Of 1000 infants, 539 (53.9%) were boys, with a cesarean delivery rate of 46.3% and mean birth weight of 3151 ± 473 g. The most common characteristics associated with significant NJ were early term birth (48.1%), preterm birth (21.5%), isoimmune hemolytic disease (20.3%), infections (8.0%), large for gestational age (7.6%), breastfeeding jaundice (7.0%), and small for gestational age (6.1%). Severe jaundice occurred in 5% of cases. Among early-term infants, 51.5% were delivered via cesarean section. Cesarean delivery was associated with higher odds of breastfeeding jaundice (unadjusted OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.11-2.98, P = .017). Conclusion: Early-term birth was the most frequently identified factor among infants hospitalized for NJ, accounting for 48.1% of cases. Cesarean delivery was associated with lower gestational age and increased odds of breastfeeding jaundice. These findings highlight the need for enhanced follow-up programs for early-term infants in settings with high cesarean section rates. Cite this article as: Çevik S, Yıldırım Ş, Karbuz A. Clinical characteristics of infants hospitalized for neonatal jaundice: a retrospective study. Cerrahpaşa Med J. 2026, 50, 0059, doi: 10.5152/cjm.2026.26059.