Dr Gbinigie said: “The toolkit is essential for early diagnosis and the prompt treatment of jaundice, ensuring timely intervention to improve outcomes and prevent avoidable, irreversible brain damage caused by delayed treatment in all babies.
“Treatment is usually recommended only if a baby’s blood shows high levels of bilirubin reaching the treatment threshold. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when red blood cells break down. If levels become too high, there is a risk of permanent brain damage, known as kernicterus. In rare cases, jaundice may also indicate an underlying health condition, making timely diagnosis crucial.
“The development of the infographics took approximately two weeks, from initial concept to final design, with the toolkit being officially launched at the January webinar. Since then we have been rolling out the toolkit to maternity and neonatal services and networks across the country, through professional newsletters, social media, and by sharing it with study day participants. It is also hosted on The Race & Health Observatory’s (RHO) website.”
Dr Edokpolor, who is an ST5 neonatal trainee*, said: “It started off at first about enlightening health care workers, now it’s time to enlighten parents and everyone else involved in looking after a new baby.
“Everyone should be able to recognise neonatal jaundice before it causes any harm.”
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