Neonatal and Pediatric Medicine
Open Access

Neonatal Jaundice; Hyperbilirubinemia; Biochemical profile; Bilirubin

Introduction

Jaundice caused by indirect neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (INH) is a common and a frequent cause of neonatal admission to health care facilities all around the world.

The main aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study is to determine the relationship between biochemical profiles with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

The term ‘jaundice’ is used to describe the yellow-orange discoloration of the skin and sclera because of excessive bilirubin in the skin and mucous membranes [1-2]. Jaundice itself is not a disease but rather a symptom or sign of a disease. Bilirubin is mainly formed when the hem component of red blood cells are broken down in the spleen to biliverdin and then unconjugated bilirubin.3 Bilirubin is not water soluble, so that it is transferred via the bloodstream from the spleen to the liver and finally bound to the plasma protein, albumin. This form is known as conjugated bilirubin, that is then secreted into the gall. In the gut it is further metabolized to other gall pigments and then excreted in the faeces [3].

The mechanism of neonatal jaundice is the imbalance between bilirubin production and conjugation, which results in increased bilirubin levels. [4] This imbalance is mainly because of the immature liver of the neonate and the rapid breakdown of red blood cells, which may be multifactorial. [3-6] based on the present evidence, 80% of premature infants have clinical symptoms, including yellowish skin and sclera, caused by serum bilirubin levels [7-9].

It usually occurs on the second day of birth, is not harmful and a self- limiting disease. It mostly improves without the need to medical interference after reaching the normal amount of bilirubin [6-10].

Materials and Methods

A total of 27 infants admitted to the in Department of Pediatrics at Zaliten hospital for jaundice were enrolled in the current study.

Random sampling is used to evaluate variables related to maternal and neonatal main biochemical profile including full blood count, Liver function test, blood group and balancer for weight measurement.

Results

The study found that there is converse correlation between body weight and total bilirubin. As the body weight increases, the total bilirubin decreases. (Figure 1) Additionally, a positive correlation was recoded between haemoglobin with total bilirubin, as the haemoglobin increases the total bilirubin increases (Figure 2). The study found positive correlation between hematocrit and total bilirubin, as the haemoglobin increases the total bilirubin increases (Figure 3). The study showed that then is strong correlation between Blood group A negative and Total bilirubin in comparison with other blood groups in the study (Figure 4) (Table 1).

Figure 1: converse correlation between body weight and total bilirubin.

Figure 2: A positive correlation between hemoglobin with total bilirubin.

Figure 3: positive correlation between hematocrit and total bilirubin.

Figure 4: Strong correlation between Blood group A negative and Total bilirubin.

Table 1: Total bilirubin in comparison with other blood groups.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The study found correlations between body weight, blood groups, haemoglobin and hematocrit with total bilirubin level. Diagnosis, treatment prevention of neonatal jaundice should be considered as the main policy in all health care settings of the country. Therefore, identification of factors affecting the incidence of jaundice can be effective in preventing susceptible predisposing factors in newborns and high-risk mothers. Therefore, we recommend that this study is expanded to include other Libyan cities and increase the sample size.

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