To study the correlation between various levels of cord blood albumin & serum bilirubin at 48 hrs of age in term healthy newborns

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia is the most common abnormal physical finding and themajor cause of neonatal morbidity during the early neonatal period. Early identification of infants atrisk might help in providing preventative therapy and follow-up. We aimed to assess whether arterialumbilical cord albumin level at birth predicts the development of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in termnewborns at 48 hrs of life. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted ina tertiary care hospital over 1 year in 200 term healthy neonates. Cord blood albumin was estimatedat birth followed by serum bilirubin level on the 3rd postnatal day(48 hrs of age). Results: Total of200 neonates were divided into three groups based on cord blood albumin level of <2.8 g/dl(groupI), 2.8-3.4 g/dl(group II) and >3.4 g/dl(groupIII) with 32, 100 and 68 in three respective groups.19 newborns (59.4%) in group I,14 in group II, and 7 newborns (10.3%) in group III developedserum bilirubin levels above an intermediate high-risk zone in Bhutani nomogram at 48 hrs of age.newborn with low cord albumin (<2.8g/dl) were significantly associated with higher bilirubin levelsat 48 hrs of age. Conclusion: Neonates with cord blood albumin <2.8 gm/dl had a significantassociation of the development of hyperbilirubinemia at or above intermediate high-risk zoneaccording to Bhutani nomogram at 48 hrs of life.