Neonatal jaundice experiences and knowledge of pregnant Women and mothers: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal jaundice is a disease that affects up to 60% of neonates; if not observed and treated, it can cause severe encephalopathy or death of the newborn. The mother's knowledge about the disease and its treatment is important in the gestational and puerperal period. Objective: identify in the in the literature aspects related to the knowledge and experiences of mothers and pregnant women. Method: Integrative review, conducted on databases BDENF, CINAHL, LILACS, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, with descriptors: neonatal jaundice, pregnant women or mothers; and uncontrolled terms in Portuguese, Spanish, or English. The inclusion criteria were that the full text was available; published from twenty-fifteen to twenty-twenty; indexed in the databases consulted and that addressed the theme. Papers on other diseases or treatment characteristics were excluded. Papers were classified according to the level of evidence by Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt. For the evaluation of the results, the content analysis proposed by Laurence Bardin, was used. Results: 141 articles were found in the databases and 10 were included. The proposed analysis categories were: Assessing health knowledge and education; Treatment application; Interaction with the hospital assistance team; and Searching for information. During treatment, mothers experienced incomprehension and/or non-acceptance of treatment, the search for knowledge on their own with professionals, community, or on the internet. Discussion: These signs must be observed by the nurse with a focus on the needs of pregnant women and mothers, contributing to the reduction of morbidity and mortality. Practical implications: Maternal knowledge and experience in the treatment of neonatal jaundice must be evaluated by the nurse to offer quality information, support in the acceptance process, and the bond between mother and newborn. Descriptors: Neonatal jaundice, Phototherapy, Mother-Child Relations.