Cord bilirubin level as predictor for Newborns at Risk for post natal Hyperbiliruinemia

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether bilirubin levels in cord blood could predict neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia that would require treatment , in full-term healthy newborn infants.Material and Methods: Umbilical cord serum bilirubin concentration was analyzed in 462 full term infants with birth weight ≥2500 grams and an apgar score ≥7,born at Babylon teaching Hospital for maternity and children,. Infants with ecchymosis, cephalohematoma, septicemia and maternal history of premature rupture of membrane were excluded from the study . Cord bilirubin level was measured for all enrolled neonates and serum bilirubin level was obtained at day of admission for hyperbilirubinemia. Total serum bilirubin level ≥14mg/dl was considered as significant hyperbilirubinemia .Data were analyzed using SPSS 9, 15 descriptive statistics.Results: 6% of enrolled newborns developed hyperbiliruinemia. Mean and standard deviation of cord bilirubin was(1.38±0.48)mg/dl for group didn’t develop hyperbilirubinemia but for those admitted for hyperbilirubinemia was (2.51± 1.14)mg/dl. There was statistically significant relation between cord bilirubin level and subsequent hyperbilirubinemia (P value <0.001). 98.1% of neonates with cord bilirubin levels ≤ 2mg (34.4umol) /dl did not develop significant hyperbilirubinemia .Conclusion :A cord bilirubin level above 2mg(34.4umol)/dl is a useful predictor of significant hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term newborns.