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 242 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 39.241.12 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.