Correlation of various maternal factors with exaggerated hyperbilirubinemia of the newborn

Abstract

Background: Maternal factors could help determine the potential incidence of hyperbilirubinemia. This study was performed with the purpose of establishing the role of the various maternal factors previously indicated as being responsible for exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates with serum bilirubin level of 12 mg/dL or more. Materials and Methodology: It was a prospective, cross-sectional study conducted from July 2012 to August 2014 in Pimpri, Pune. A total of 2000 healthy term deliveries were screened, out of which 100 neonates with exaggerated hyperbilirubinemia were included. Data were collected with maternal information. The data were analyzed using t -test (for parametric distributions). Results: During the period of study, 330 babies out of 2000 deliveries had achieved the serum bilirubin level of >12 mg/dL. Thus, the prevalence of exaggerated neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in the current study was 16.5%. There is strong association between maternal infection and serum bilirubin even when only 5 mothers had infection (Z = 2.31 and P Conclusions: Maternal infection was found to have a significant effect on neonatal exaggerated hyperbilirubinemia. Therefore, interventions should be prioritized to prevent maternal sepsis. The first approach targets facility-based deliveries and requires increased provision and uptake of proper antenatal care early in pregnancy.