Abstract:
Title : Prediction of significant hyperbilirubinemia in late preterm and term babies
using first day serum bilirubin - A Prospective Study.
S.S Kalyanshettar , Betsy M.
Background & Objectives
Jaundice occurs in most newborns. Most jaundice is benign, but because of the
potential toxicity of bilirubin, newborn infants must be monitored to identify those
who go for severe hyperbilirubinemia and in rare cases, acute bilirubin
encephalopathy / kernicterus. With increasing trend on early discharge of term and
late preterm newborns, the study aim was to predict significant hyperbilirubinemia
using first day serum bilirubin.
Study hypothesis was that serum bilirubin level on first day of life is a good
predictor of its own peak achieved later in the week (by day 3 of life).
Methods
The study was conducted on a prospective cohort of 170 babies (late preterm
and term) born at a tertiary level hospital in North Karnataka. The main outcome
measured was significant hyperbilirubinemia on day 3 of life.
Serum bilirubin was estimated within 24 hours of life. Exclusion criteria were
Rh incompatibility, ABO incompatibility, life threatening congenital malformations,
birth asphyxia, sepsis and hypothyroidism.
