Utility of cord blood bilirubin as a predictors of significant neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term neonate

Background: Clinical jaundice is evident in more than two-third neonates in their early neonatal life. Early identification of neonates at risk might allow early intervention and prevent complication. Objective of the study was to assess the cord blood bilirubin level as a tool to screen the risk of development of subsequent significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of 2 years on 1040 healthy term neonates. Demographic profile, relevant maternal and neonatal information were recorded. Measurement of cord blood bilirubin, blood group/Rh typing and serum bilirubin at the end of 24 & 72 hours was done to predict significant hyperbilirubinemia.Results: Incidence of significant hyperbilirubinemia was 11.53%. Gender, gestational age, mode of delivery and birth weight had no correlation with development of significant jaundice. 800 (76.93%) neonates had cord blood bilirubin level ?3.0mg/dl and 240 (23.07%) neonate had cord blood bilirubin level >3.0mg/dl. Out of 240 (23.07%) neonates with higher cord bilirubin (>3.0 mg/dl), 108 (45%) had significant hyperbilirubinemia at the end of 24 hours with sensitivity 90.00%, specificity 85.65%, positive predictive value 45.00% and negative predictive value 98.50% while 110 (45.83%) neonates were observed with serum bilirubin >17mg/dl at the end of 72 hours with cord blood bilirubin >3mg/dl with sensitivity 91.67%, specificity 84.52% positive predictive value 45.83% and negative predictive value-98.61% and this difference was statistically significant.Conclusions: Neonates with cord blood bilirubin level ?3mg/dl can be safely discharged early whereas neonates with bilirubin >3mg/dl will need close follow up to check for development of subsequent significant jaundice. Hence cord blood bilirubin levels help to determine and predict the possibility of significant jaundice among healthy term neonates.

Maternal Risk Factor for Seizures in Term Neonate: A Hospital –Based Case Control Study.

Background: Assessing the maternal risk factors for seizure in first 72 hours of life in term neonate. Design: Case control study. Setting: Department of Paediatrics, Neonatology unit and Maternity ward tertiary care centre Govt. Medical College, Nagpur. Methods: A 210 cases [Term neonate with seizure within first 72 hours of life] and 210 controls [Term neonate without seizure in first 72 hours of life] were randomly selected as study subject over a period of two year. Primary exposure variables in mothers including age, parity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anemia, intrapartum fever, mode of delivery and prolonged second stage of labor were considered in study population. Neonates were carefully examined and observed for seizures and manage accordingly. Results: Maternal diabetes mellitus and anemia were potentially significant in their association with term neonatal seizure while maternal hypertension, intrapartum fever and prolonged second stage of labor were not significantly associated with seizure. Neonates born to diabetic mother, young maternal age, anemic mother and cesarean delivered neonate had 1.97, 0.95, 1.83 and 2.18 time more risk to developed seizure respectively. Conclusion: Early identification and timely intervention of maternal risk factor may reduces the seizure in term neonate.