Understanding and Managing Newborn Jaundice: A Guide for African Mothers

Categories: Newborn & Neonatal Care

About Course

Jaundice is common in newborn babies, especially in the first week of life. But when does it become dangerous? This course teaches mothers and caregivers in Africa how to spot signs of jaundice, when to act, and how to protect their babies from long-term harm.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Introduction to Newborn Jaundice
• What is jaundice? • Normal vs. pathological jaundice • Why it matters for African families • 🌍 Real-life case vignette from Nigeria

Lesson 2: Causes of Jaundice in African Babies
• Immature liver function • Blood type incompatibility (ABO, Rh) • G6PD deficiency & common African genetic factors • Prematurity, sepsis, and birth trauma

Lesson 3: Signs & Symptoms to Watch Out For
• Yellowing of eyes, palms, skin • Poor feeding, fever, sleepiness • When jaundice starts and how long it lasts • 📥 Printable "Jaundice Home Monitoring Card"

Lesson 4: Myths vs. Medical Truths
• Debunking common African beliefs: "Jaundice is from bad breastmilk" "She must have looked at the sun!" "Rub with herbs or charcoal water" • What science actually says

Lesson 5: Diagnosis and Tests
• Bilirubin testing and why it matters • Skin testing vs. blood tests • Where to access reliable testing

Lesson 6: Home Care & What to Avoid
• Safe sun exposure: timing, position, dangers • Breastfeeding guidance • Dangerous practices (herbs, delay in care, sugar water)

Lesson 7: Medical Treatment Options
• What is phototherapy? • When blood transfusion is needed • Hospital referral process in Africa • 🌐 Links to verified jaundice treatment centres

Lesson 8: When to Go to Hospital or Call a CHW
• Red flag symptoms • Who to contact • 📞 Emergency hotline list by region

Lesson 9: Follow-Up and Long-Term Care
• Monitoring for brain damage (kernicterus) • How jaundice may affect feeding, hearing, learning • Ensuring child development support

Lesson 10: African Community Stories & Case Studies
• Testimonies from mothers in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda • CHW experiences: Early detection saves lives • What worked in low-resource rural areas

Student Ratings & Reviews

No Review Yet

A course by

OneWomb

About Course

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Lesson 1: Introduction to Newborn Jaundice • What is jaundice? • Normal vs. pathological jaundice • Why it matters for African families • 🌍 Real-life case vignette from Nigeria

Lesson 2: Causes of Jaundice in African Babies • Immature liver function • Blood type incompatibility (ABO, Rh) • G6PD deficiency & common African genetic factors • Prematurity, sepsis, and birth trauma

Lesson 3: Signs & Symptoms to Watch Out For • Yellowing of eyes, palms, skin • Poor feeding, fever, sleepiness • When jaundice starts and how long it lasts • 📥 Printable "Jaundice Home Monitoring Card"

Lesson 4: Myths vs. Medical Truths • Debunking common African beliefs: "Jaundice is from bad breastmilk" "She must have looked at the sun!" "Rub with herbs or charcoal water" • What science actually says

Lesson 5: Diagnosis and Tests • Bilirubin testing and why it matters • Skin testing vs. blood tests • Where to access reliable testing

Lesson 6: Home Care & What to Avoid • Safe sun exposure: timing, position, dangers • Breastfeeding guidance • Dangerous practices (herbs, delay in care, sugar water)

Lesson 7: Medical Treatment Options • What is phototherapy? • When blood transfusion is needed • Hospital referral process in Africa • 🌐 Links to verified jaundice treatment centres

Lesson 8: When to Go to Hospital or Call a CHW • Red flag symptoms • Who to contact • 📞 Emergency hotline list by region

Lesson 9: Follow-Up and Long-Term Care • Monitoring for brain damage (kernicterus) • How jaundice may affect feeding, hearing, learning • Ensuring child development support

Lesson 10: African Community Stories & Case Studies • Testimonies from mothers in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda • CHW experiences: Early detection saves lives • What worked in low-resource rural areas