Pediatricians’ Practice Patterns on the Revised 2022 Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia Guidelines

Background/Objective: In 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised the guidelines used to manage neonatal hyperbilirubinemia with a focus on reducing unnecessary testing and phototherapy. However, pediatricians’ knowledge and compliance with the current guidelines have not been assessed. We conducted a survey to evaluate New Jersey pediatricians’ current knowledge and practice patterns with the newly proposed guidelines. Patients and Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 28 closed-ended Likert-scale questions, along with demographic data, was distributed twice in 2024 to all members of the New Jersey AAP Chapter. Of 128 respondents, 120 who defined their involvement in the care of neonates with hyperbilirubinemia were analyzed. Results: The majority of survey respondents were general pediatricians (71.7%). Up to 70% recognized the risk factors for developing severe hyperbilirubinemia, except for Down Syndrome. Up to 60% of respondents utilized transcutaneous bilirubin in low-risk hyperbilirubinemia neonates and serum bilirubin after phototherapy initiation in high-risk neonates as recommended by the AAP. Almost all of the respondents followed the AAP recommended post-discharge follow-up and/or bilirubin measurement. The majority reported phototherapy initiation at the recommended thresholds; however, only 12.5% of surveyed pediatricians followed the recommended threshold for phototherapy discontinuation. Conclusions: Surveyed pediatricians in our study were most likely to comply with the 2022 AAP guidelines; however, opportunities remain for improving pediatricians’ awareness of specific risk factors, reducing unnecessary laboratory testing and discontinuation of phototherapy at the recommended level.