RESUMO
Background: the study was aimed to determine the predictive value of cord bilirubin and 24th hour serum bilirubin levels in identifying newborn babies at risk of developing significant hyperbilirubinemia.Methods: A total 300 term neonates with a mean birth weight of 2.58'0.23 kg ranging from 1.92 kg-4.1kg were included in this study. Under strict aseptic precautions cord blood sample were collected from all newborns for analysis of serum bilirubin levels, and haemoglobin levels.Results: The incidence of significant hyperbilirubinemia in this study was 14%. Among jaundiced newborns sex ratio M/F:1.6:1(male female ratio 1.1:1). Mean Cord bilirubin levels in babies who subsequently developed hyperbilirubinemia was 2.798'0.5559 mg/dl and in others were 1.511'0.3260 mg/dl and the difference was statistically significant. There was a statistically significant correlation between cord bilirubin and neonatal jaundice. Cord bilirubin ?2 mg/dl had good predictive value in identifying newborns who are likely to develop significant hyperbilirubinemia later.Conclusions: Babies with cord blood bilirubin ?2 mg/dl can be followed up in the hospital for 5 days, the time of peak neonatal hyperbilirubinemia to prevent the babies discharged early and later readmission for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.