Umbilical Cord Blood Bilirubin and Determination of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract

Objective: To determine accuracy of cord blood bilirubin in identifying significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Methodology: A Cross sectional study was conducted in Pediatric department of Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi from Jan.2019 to June 2019. Cord blood samples were sent for the blood group and bilirubin levels. Neonates with cord bilirubin level > 2mg/dl and < 5 mg/dl were enrolled and admitted for 3 days and serum bilirubin level were done on 3rd day. Those developing significant hyperbilirubinemia were further investigated for hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, Coomb’s test and other causes. Results: Total 74 newborns at >35 weeks of gestation were included in the study of which 35 (47.3%) were male and 39 (52.7%) were female (male: female: 1:1.1). The data was analyzed using SPSS 17. At 3rd day of life mean ± SD cord blood bilirubin was 8.4 ± 2.7 mg/dl, mean direct bilirubin was 1.6 ± 0.9 mg/dl and mean indirect bilirubin was 6.8 ± 2.3mg/dl. Significant hyperbilirubinemia developed in 16 (21.6%) newborns at >35 weeks of gestation, who had a cord blood bilirubin level of > 2 mg/dl, so that the accuracy of cord blood bilirubin level (true positives) in determining significant hyperbilirubinemia was 21.6%. Conclusion: Cord blood bilirubin level >2mg/dl in all healthy term newborns predicts significant hyperbilirubinemia.