Clinical study to determine the predictability of significant rebound hyperbilirubinemia in neonates after phototherapy and conditions likely to be associated with it: Prospective observational study in a teaching hospital in Eastern India.

Abstract

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is defined as yellowish discoloration of the skin, conjunctive, and sclera from the elevated serum or plasma bilirubin in the newborn. The standard of care for the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is phototherapy to prevent long-term neurological sequelae. The aim of this study was to ascertain the predictability of significant rebound hyperbilirubinemia (SRH) in neonates after phototherapy and the factors associated with it. Neonates ≥ 35 weeks of gestation, who received treatment for hyperbilirubinemia and admitted in our hospital from 15th of March 2019 to 15th of September 2020 were enrolled after taking parental consent. SRH was defined as bilirubin levels crossing the treatment threshold within 72 hours of phototherapy termination. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictability of SRH. Out of 400 neonates treated with phototherapy, 10% developed SRH. Prematurity (Gestational age < 37 weeks), low birth weight (Birth weight < 2000 gram), ABO and Rh incompatibility, Glucose-6-phophate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) deficiency, sepsis, and longer duration of primary phototherapy were found to be significantly associated with rebound hyperbilirubinemia. The probability of SRH increases for all American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) risk categories as the gestational age decreases and total serum bilirubin at the stoppage of phototherapy increases. The presence of risk factors should be taken into account while planning discharge and follow-up of neonates admitted for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia to prevent long-term complication of bilirubin neurotoxicity.