RISK FACTORS OF NEONATAL HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA

Abstract

Jaundice is the most common and one of the most annoying problems that can occur in the newborn. Hyperbilirubinemia may lead to severe morbidity as kernicterus, and it may cause other sequelae such as hearing loss. The aim of work is to identify the risk factors for neonatal jaundice in CUPH. Also to evaluate the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TCB) in the screening and follow-up of hyperbilirubinemia. The study was conducted on 75 full-term newborn with clinical jaundice, and similar number of age matched healthy controls. Total serum bilirubin of the cases was measured using the Diazo method, and at the same time was evaluated by the TcB method. Of the 75 studied newborns who had clinical jaundice, an apparent cause was identified in 30 infants (40%), while the rest (60%) showed no specific cause. The identified causes were Rhesus and ABO incompatibility, neonatal hypoxia, and septicemia. An apparent cause for jaundice was identified in 30 infants (40%), and the identified causes were neonatal asphyxia: rhesus erythroblastosis, septicemia, and ABO incompatibility. The studied risk factors which showed significant difference among jaundiced cases were: l) maternal diseases as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, 2) infants delivered by Caesarean section, 3) the use of oxytocin for labor induction. Breast­ feeding was also associated with hyperbilirubinemia. The study showed marked agreement between transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) measurements and the level of serum bilirubin concentration measured by the Diazo method.