Nagamani Mittana1 , Vidyullatha Arimilli2
BACKGROUND Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common clinical signs encountered in newborns and it is a universal problem, which creates anxiety and apprehension among the parents and paediatricians as well. Jaundice is a cause of concern not only due to its staining character but also because of potential brain damage caused by it. It is one of the preventable causes of deafness and mental retardation. Though in most cases it is a benign problem nevertheless untreated, severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia is potentially neurotoxic and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia is a harbinger of underlying serious illness. METHODS The study was conducted at King George Hospital Visakhapatnam in the Department of Paediatrics. The study protocol was approved by the ethical committee for research studies of Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. The study population consisted of term new-borns born in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam. Study design was crosssectional study. Study was conducted from August 2017 to October 2018. RESULTS The study consisted of a total of 200 cases (N=200). Males (55.5%) were more in number than females (44.5%). Multigravida women (55.5%) were more than primigravida women (44.5%). Gestational hypertension is present in 33% of the females. Pre-mature rupture of membranes is present in 53% of the mothers. Intrapartum drug is administered in 33.5% of the mothers. Mode of delivery was vaginal delivery in 62% women, caesarean section in 35% women and forceps delivery in 3% women. Sibling history is present in 11.5% patients. Descriptive statistics of all the babies is as follows- mean birth weight was 2.85 Kg, mean APGAR at 1 min was 7.78, mean APGAR at 5 min was 9.82, mean APGAR at 10 min was 10.0, mean cord blood bilirubin was 1.40, mean 24 hr serum bilirubin was 4.85, mean 5th day serum bilirubin was 13.38 and mean HB was 16.47. Descriptive statistics of all the jaundiced babies is as follows- mean birth weight was 2.97 Kg, mean APGAR at 1 min was 7.79, mean APGAR at 5 min was 9.88, mean APGAR at 10 min was 10.0, mean cord blood bilirubin was 2.32, mean 24 hr serum bilirubin was 6.39, mean 5th day serum bilirubin was 18.38 and mean HB was 16.54. CONCLUSIONS There was a statistically significant correlation between 24 hr serum bilirubin and jaundiced patients and also between 5th day serum bilirubin and jaundiced patients. There was a statistically significant correlation between cord bilirubin and 24 hr serum bilirubin. Thus, cord blood bilirubin and 24 hr serum bilirubin have role in early prediction of developing significant jaundice in the first week of life.
