Safety recommendation
HSIB recommends that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence reviews the available evidence and updates its guidance if appropriate, regarding:
- the reliability of visual signs to detect jaundice in newborn babies, particularly in babies with black and brown skin
- risk factors for jaundice identified by this investigation, including prematurity.
Response:
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will review its guideline on jaundice in newborn babies under 28 days [CG98] to see if an update to its current recommendations is required.
Actions planned to deliver safety recommendation:
- Undertake an exceptional review of the NICE guideline on jaundice in newborn babies under 28 days [CG98], by July 2023.
- Update CG98 if the exceptional surveillance review indicates this is required, by TBC.
Response received on 18 April 2023.
Update on actions taken:
Exceptional review published. We will amend:
- Recommendation 1.2.5 to include text to acknowledge that jaundice may be harder to detect visually in darker skin tones.
- Recommendation 1.7.1 to be more flexible around urine culture.
- Guidance updated and available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg98/resources/2023-exceptional-surveillance-of-jaundice-in-newborns-under-28-days-nice-guideline-cg98-13197079837/chapter/Surveillance-decision?tab=evidence
Updated response received on 2 November 2023.