Publication:

Study of hematological indices in neonates admitted with non-obstructive jaundice and its outcome in a tertiary care hospital

Background To study non-obstructive causes and laboratory profile of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Design prospective study.

Methods Selection of cases were done from routine cases reporting to newborn unit in the department of paediatrics, with clinical evidence of jaundice in neonates. Blood group of the mother and baby, Serum bilirubin estimation, Complete blood count with peripheral smear examination, Reticulocyte count, Direct coomb’s test and C-reactive protein of the baby were done.

Results Study includes 89 cases of newborn admitted in our tertiary care institute. Out of 89 neonates, 52 (58.42%) were male while 37 (41.57%) were females. Total number of Pre-term babies was 35 (39.32%). Neonates having low birth weight were 30 (33.7%) and very low birth were 10 (11.23%). Physiological jaundice constituted majority cases. Septicemia was the commonest cause of pathological jaundice and ABO incompatibility is second commonest cause of pathological jaundice. Pre-term and low birth weight babies were having higher levels of serum total bilirubin but the difference was not significant (P >0.05). The rise in serum bilirubin level was found to be more in pathological jaundice as compare to physiological jaundice. Difference was significant statistically with p value of <0.05.

Conclusions Most of the cases were having physiological jaundice although septicemia and ABO-Rh incompatibility were not exceptional. Peak serum bilirubin levels were found to be more among the pathological jaundice. Also, prematurity and low birth weight were having higher levels of serum bilirubin. Special care must be given to them in order to avoid future complications of hyperbilirubinemia.