Diagnostic Utility of Measuring First Day Serum Bilirubin Levels in Management of Neonatal Hyperbilurubinemia

Management of Neonatal Hyperbilurubinemia

Abstract

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is the commonest finding in the first week of life, cause of concern for the parents and pediatricians. Objectives: With this study was carried to evaluate the predictive value of serum bilirubin level on day one postnatal age for identifying term neonates at risk for subsequent hyperbilirubinemia.Subjects and Methods: Study was conducted in GSL Medical College. Study protocol was approved by institutional ethics committee. Informed consent was collected from the parents / guardians of all the study participants. Neonates ≥ 37 weeks who were otherwise healthy were included in the study. First serum bilirubin measurement was estimated initially within 24±2 hours of life. Second serum bilirubin estimation estimation was attempted if clinical assessment of serum bilirubin >10 mg/dl.Results: Total 200 healthy term newborns were evaluated; male female ratio was 1.2.  The mean gestation period was 39.24±1.12 weeks. Maximum (58%; 116) women had full term normal vaginal delivery. The range of bilirubin on day one was 2.2 – 8.5mg/dl; majority newborns (86.5%) did not develop significant hyperbilirubinemia.Conclusion: Early screening and appropriate management of hyperbilirubinemia is needed for prevention of complications in the newborn. This decreases the significant burden of untreated severe neonatal jaundice, causing potential neurological sequelae.