Dr. Edem Sarbah, a specialised paediatrician at the Volta Regional Hospital in Hohoe, claims that over the past four years, the number of newborn jaundice cases in the Volta Region has dramatically increased.
He cited an increase in instances from 720 in 2019 to 879 in 2020, for example. According to Dr. Sarbah, a total of 997 cases were recorded in 2021, while 1,238 instances were reported in 2022.
According to him, the region's current newborn jaundice incidence rate is 3.7%, up 3.2% from the previous year.
Dr. Sarbah made these remarks last Friday in Ho during the beginning and celebration of Volta Regional Neonatal Jaundice Week.
The festival, which was sponsored by the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) and the Paediatric Society of Ghana, had the slogan "Spot the Yellow, Stop Disability, and Death" as its subject.
Underreported
The numbers, according to Dr. Sarbah, are lower than the real number of infants who experienced jaundice. He also noted that some of the infants died while others were readmitted to the hospital with avoidable problems.
"Awareness about newborn jaundice remains low, hence the drive for this advocacy," he said.
He clarified that surgical reasons, underlying diseases, and spontaneous jaundice can all happen.
He said that infant jaundice resulted in irreparable brain damage that was associated with hearing loss, trouble speaking, movement issues, convulsions, diminished intelligence, cerebral palsy, and, in some circumstances, death.
According to Dr. Sarbah, newborns with yellow eyes or skin have a medical emergency; thus, these instances need to be reported right away to the closest hospital.
"By spotting the yellow, we have the opportunity to stop the disability and grant our children a life filled with promises, possibilities, and boundless potential," he stated.
Prevention
The Director of Medical Services at HTH, Dr. Lord Mensah, had earlier stated that the growth of the kid depended on the sickness being prevented.
As a result, he continued, the HTH will continue to take a strong stand in favour of helping the paediatric unit in a number of ways to avoid birth defects.
The Ve-Deme Tsowu Afede clan's Queen, Mama Afiakumah II, who presided, urged civic-minded people and business organisations to support the Paediatric Society of Ghana in its efforts to reduce newborn jaundice incidences in the area and, for that matter, the nation, with tremendous passion and resources.
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