Epidemiology of clinical hyperbilirubinaemia in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

All infants born at Al Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates between 1 January and 30 June 1995 who developed clinically relevant hyperbilirubinaemia defined as jaundice requiring investigation and treatment were prospectively studied. Of the 2300 live births, 85 (3.7%) developed hyperbilirubinaemia. Of these, 22 were premature, 22 had ABO haemolytic disease of the newborn, eight had G6PD deficiency (Mediterranean), seven had breast-milk jaundice, five were born to mothers with diabetes mellitus and one had Rh incompatibility. No specific factor was identified in 20 (24%). Significant differences in the distribution of diagnostic categories were found among the major ethnic groups in the population studied. This first study of the epidemiology of clinically relevant hyperbilirubinaemia in this community identified locally relevant risk factors and highlighted areas of health care which, if modified, might reduce the incidence of hyperbilirubinaemia.