The nurse's role in the prevention of acute bilirubin toxicity in neonatal intensive care unit / Mervat Sabry Ibrahim Khalil ; Supervised Soheir A. Dabash , Shadia R. Elguindy , Salma Z. El Houchi

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of Pediatric Nursing

Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is still occurring and is a leading cause of preventable brain damage. Early detection of infants at risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia is a key step in preventing bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus. Aim: the aim of this study is to evaluate the role of the nurse in the prevention of bilirubin toxicity among neonates undergoing exchange transfusion in the neonatal intensive care unit, at Cairo University Pediatric Hospital. Sample: fifty neonates born at term or late preterm of both sexes, with total serum bilirubin {u2265} 20 mg/dl, undergoing exchange transfusion and free from any congenital anomalies. Research Design: Descriptive/exploratory design was used in the study. Tools: data were collected using maternal socio-demographic characteristics, delivery and family history, (b) neonatal admission assessment, laboratory tests, and neurological assessment tool (BIND score). It covers four basic items (mental status, muscle tone, cry and eye manifestations), and it is measured on admission, before and immediately after exchange transfusion. Results: The results of this study revealed that there was a positive correlation between BIND score on admission and BIND score before and after exchange transfusion. BIND score on admission revealed prognosis to advanced signs before exchange

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