Clinical and laboratory characteristics and associated risk factors of infants hospitalized in newborn unit for indirect hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics of neonates hospitalized to Neonatal Unit due to indirect hyperbilirubinemia and to determine risk factors for indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Materials and methods: Totally 222 newborns, aged ≥35 weeks of gestational age and hospitalized in neonatal unit with indirect hyperbilirubinemia, were investigated. Physical examination and laboratory studies of children were performed. Decision of phototherapy and exchange transfusion was done according to total serum bilirubin (TSB) level that notified in the Guidelines of American Academy of Pediatrics. Results: Study group consisted of 131 (60%) male and 91 (30%) female newborns. No significant difference was found in TSB values between male and female neonates. There was 71.2% term and 19.8% late preterm newborn babies. Babies born with spontaneous vaginal delivery had borderline higher TSB values compared with cesarean section deliveries (p=0.051). ABO blood group incompatibility was found in 30.1% and Rh incompatibility in 6.7%. Insufficient nutrition and inadequate caloric intake were found in 49 (22.7%) of neonates, urinary tract infection in 19 (8.5%), hypernatremic dehydration in 9 (4.5%) and hypothyroidism in 4 (2.0%). Exchange transfusion was performed in 10 newborns and kernicterus occurred in two. A significant negative correlation was found between TSB values at hospitalization and baby’s birth (p<0.05) and a positive correlation between initial TSB value and percent of patient weight loss (p<0.05). Conclusions: According to our results, the most frequent etiological causes of jaundice in newborns were ABO blood group incompatibility, insufficient nutrition and being late preterm.