Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in African American males: the importance of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

OBJECTIVE: To perform risk factor analysis for the prediction of hyperbilirubinemia in an African American male neonatal cohort. STUDY DESIGN: A database of 500 previously published term and near-term African American male neonates was further analyzed to determine the role of risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia. Factors studied included birth weight >/=4.0 kg, gestational age /=75(th) percentile. Hyperbilirubinemia was defined as any bilirubin value >/=95(th) percentile on the hour-of-life-specific bilirubin nomogram. RESULTS: Forty-three (8.6%) neonates developed hyperbilirubinemia. At 48 +/- 12 hours, median transcutaneous bilirubin was 8.3 mg/dL, 75(th) percentile 10.0 mg/dL, and 95(th) percentile 12.6 mg/dL. Of the risk factors, only exclusive breast-feeding, G-6-PD deficiency and predischarge bilirubin >/=75(th) percentile were significant (Adjusted Odds Ratios [95% Confidence Intervals; CI] 3.15 [1.39-7.14], P = .006; 4.96 [2.28-10.80], P = .001; and 7.47 [3.50-15.94], P < .0001, respectively). G-6-PD-deficient neonates who were also premature and breast-feeding had the highest incidence of hyperbilirubinemia (60%). CONCLUSIONS: African American male neonates may be at higher risk for hyperbilirubinemia than previously thought. Screening for G-6-PD deficiency and predischarge bilirubin determination may be useful adjuncts in hyperbilirubinemia prediction in these newborns.     

Combination of ABO blood group incompatibility and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: effect on hemolysis and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

The incidence (%) of hyperbilirubinemia (serum bilirubin ≥257 μmol/l) was similar in neonates with a combination of ABO incompatibility and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency (45%), with ABO incompatibility (54%) or G-6-PD deficiency (37%), alone (ns). Carboxyhemoglobin values, corrected for inspired CO, were similarly elevated in all three groups (0.87 ± 0.32%, 0.82 ± 0.29%, 0.76 ± 0.18%, respectively, ns), but correlated with bilirubin only in those with ABO incompatibility alone. ABO-incompatible/G-6-PD-deficient neonates, compared with those with either condition alone, are not at increased risk for hemolysis or hyperbilirubinemia.     

(TA)n UGT 1A1 promoter polymorphism: a crucial factor in the pathophysiology of jaundice in G-6-PD deficient neonates

Increased heme catabolism has been reported in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD)-normal neonates who were also homozygous for (TA)7/(TA)7 (UGT1A1*28) uridine diphosphoglucuronate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT) promoter polymorphism (Gilbert syndrome). As G-6-PD deficiency is associated with increased hemolysis, we hypothesized that in G-6-PD-deficient neonates who also have the (TA)7/(TA)7 UGT promoter genotype, steady-state hemolysis would be even further increased. Male G-6-PD-deficient neonates were sampled for plasma total bilirubin (PTB), blood carboxyhemoglobin corrected for inhaled carbon monoxide in ambient air (COHbc) (an index of heme catabolism), and UGT (TA)n promoter genotype determination and compared with previously published G-6-PD-normal neonates. Although COHbc values were higher in the G-6-PD-deficient than in the G-6-PD-normal cohorts (0.97 +/- 0.32% of total Hb (tHb) versus 0.76 +/- 0.19% of tHb, p < 0.001), PTB values were similar (9.2 +/- 3.4 mg/dL versus 8.9 +/- 3.0 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.3). Within the G-6-PD-deficient group, although COHbc values were alike between the three UGT promoter genotypes, PTB was higher in the (TA)7/(TA)7 homozygotes (11.1 +/- 4.0 mg/dL) compared with (TA)6/(TA)7 heterozygotes (9.1 +/- 3.2 mg/dL, p = 0.03) and wild-type (TA)6/(TA)6 homozygotes (8.8 +/- 3.4 mg/dL, p = 0.02). In the steady state, similar rates of hemolysis, but increased PTB in the G-6-PD- deficient, (TA)7/(TA)7 homozygotes, imply that (TA)7/(TA)7, homozygosity is central to increased PTB.     

广西南宁地区G6PD基因突变与新生儿黄疸的关系

目的：分析本地区最常见的三种基因突变型G1388A、G1376T和A95G与葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶（G-6-PD）活性之间的相关性,并探讨G-6-PD基因突变对新生儿黄疸的影响。方法：124例广西南宁的高胆红素血症新生儿为研究对象。应用突变特异性扩增系统法检测G-6-PD基因突变,应用硝基四氮唑蓝（NBT）定量法检测G-6-PD活性。比较G-6-PD不同基因突变型之间以及与正常组之间胆红素脑病发生率、出生72 h后血清胆红素峰值组间的差异。采用非条件logistic回归分析血清胆红素值>340 μmol/L的危险度。结果：124例中有37例G-6-PD 基因突变（G1388A 20例,G1376T 14例,A95G 4例,1例同时存在G1388A与A95G突变）。20例G1388A突变者中5例（25%）G-6-PD酶活性正常,14例G1376T突变者中4例（29%）G-6-PD酶活性正常,4例A95G突变者G-6-PD 酶活性均缺乏。G1388A与G1376T组胆红素脑病发生率及出生72 h后血清胆红素峰值差异无显著性。G-6-PD 突变组出生72 h后血清胆红素峰值、胆红素脑病发生率及血清胆红素>340 μmol/L的危险度与G-6-PD正常组相比,差异无显著性。结论：广西南宁地区G-6-PD突变仍常见G1388A、G1376T和A95G基因型。NBT法诊断G-6-PD缺乏存在假阴性。不同基因型对出生72 h后血清胆红素峰值、胆红素脑病发生率的影响无差异。单独的G-6-PD基因突变对生后72 h血清胆红素峰值、急性胆红素脑病发生率及血清胆红素大于340 μmol/L危险性均无影响。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（12）：970-972］     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and kernicterus of South-East anatolia

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the rate of kernicterus, and physical and laboratory examination findings in hyperbilirubinemic infants with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out in the Dicle University Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between June 2005 and June 2006. Out of 56 male neonates who needed an exchange transfusion due to hyperbilirubinemia, 10 with G-6-PD deficiency were included in the study. Maternal age, gestational age, route of delivery, birth weight, age at the time of admission, and treatment and outcome were recorded. Laboratory investigations included determination of direct and indirect serum bilirubin concentrations, blood group typing, direct Coomb test, complete blood count, blood smear, thyroid-stimulating hormone, T4, C-reactive protein, urine analysis, and G-6-PD level. RESULTS: Out of 56 male neonates requiring exchange transfusion, 10 had G-6-PD deficiency (18%). In G-6-PD deficient neonates, other factors known to cause hyperbilirubinemia were excluded. The mean gestational age and the mean maternal age was 38.2+/-1.0 weeks and 31.3+/-5.9 years, respectively. The mean bilirubin level was 42.1+/-13.7 mg/dL. Four patients required a second exchange transfusions, and only 1 transfusion was sufficient for the remaining patients. Five patients (55%) developed kernicterus. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection of G-6-PD deficiency in the affected newborns may be important for reducing the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia, kernicterus, and the need for exchange transfusion.     

A randomized controlled trial of fluid supplementation in term neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of fluid supplementation in decreasing the rate of exchange transfusion and the duration of phototherapy in term neonates with severe nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted in a tertiary care referral unit in northern India. Seventy-four term neonates with severe nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia (total serum bilirubin > 18 mg/dL [308 micromol/L] to < 25 mg/dL [427 micromol/L]). The subjects were randomized to an "extra fluids" group (intravenous fluid supplementation for 8 hours and oral supplementation for the duration of phototherapy; n = 37) or a control group (n = 37). RESULTS: At inclusion, 54 infants (73%) had high serum osmolality, including 28 (75%) in the extra fluids group and 26 (70%) in the control group. The proportion of infants who underwent exchange transfusion was lower in the extra fluids group than in the control group: 6 (16%) versus 20 (54%)(P = .001; relative risk = 0.30; 95% confidence interval = 0.14 to 0.66). The duration of phototherapy was also shorter in the extra fluids group: 52 +/- 18 hours versus 73 +/- 31 hours (P = .004). CONCLUSION: Fluid supplementation in term neonates presenting with severe hyperbilirubinemia decreased the rate of exchange transfusion and duration of phototherapy.     

Phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: six-year follow-up of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development clinical trial

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Randomized, Controlled Trial of Phototherapy for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia was conducted to determine whether phototherapy used to control serum bilirubin is safe and is as effective in preventing brain injury as exchange transfusion. The study, conducted at six neonatal care centers, randomly assigned 1339 newborn infants to phototherapy or control groups by the following subgroups: (1) birth weight less than 2000 g; (2) birth weight 2000 to 2499 g and bilirubin level greater than 171 mumol/L (10 mg/dL); or (3) birth weight greater than or equal to 2500 g and bilirubin level greater than 222 mumol/L (13 mg/dL). Phototherapy was administered for 96 hours, and exchange transfusion was used to control hyperbilirubinemia at the same predetermined levels in both groups. Neurological and developmental examinations were conducted at 1 and 6 years of age, with follow-up rates of 83% and 62%, respectively. The two groups did not differ in mortality or diagnosed medical conditions. The phototherapy and control groups had similar rates of cerebral palsy (5.8% vs 5.9%), other motor abnormalities including clumsiness and hypotonia (11.1% vs 11.4%), and sensorineural hearing loss (1.8% vs 1.9%). The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised scores overall were not significantly different for the two groups (Verbal, 96.8 vs 94.8; Performance, 95.8 vs 95.1 for phototherapy and control groups, respectively). Phototherapy effectively controlled neonatal hyperbilirubinemia without evidence of adverse outcome at 6 years of age and was at least as effective as management with exchange transfusion alone.     

Normal serum bilirubin levels in the newborn and the effect of breast-feeding

We measured the serum bilirubin concentrations in 2,416 consecutive infants admitted to our well-baby nursery. The maximum serum bilirubin concentration exceeded 12.9 mg/dL (221 mumol/L) in 147 infants (6.1%), and these infants were compared with 147 randomly selected control infants with maximum serum bilirubin levels less than or equal to 12.9 mg/dL. In 66 infants (44.9%), we identified an apparent cause for the jaundice, but in 81 (55%), no cause was found. Of infants for whom no cause for hyperbilirubinemia was found, 82.7% were breast-fed v 46.9% in the control group (P less than .0001). Breast-feeding was significantly associated with hyperbilirubinemia, even in the first three days of life. The 95th percentile for bottle-fed infants is a serum bilirubin level of 11.4 mg/dL v 14.5 mg/dL for the breast-fed population, and the 97th percentiles are 12.4 and 14.8 mg/dL, respectively. Of the formula-fed infants, 2.24% had serum bilirubin levels greater than 12.9 mg/dL v 8.97% of breast-fed infants (P less than .000001). When compared with previous large studies, the incidence of "readily visible" jaundice (serum bilirubin level greater than 8 mg/dL) appears to be increasing. The dramatic increase in breast-feeding in the United States in the last 25 years may explain this observation. There is a strong association between breast-feeding and jaundice in the healthy newborn infant. Investigations for the cause of hyperbilirubinemia in healthy breast-fed infants may not be indicated unless the serum bilirubin level exceeds approximately 15 mg/dL, whereas in the bottle-fed infant, such investigations may be indicated if the serum bilirubin exceeds approximately 12 mg/dL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

新生儿高胆红素血症再入院的现状和危险因素分析

目的 探讨新生儿高胆红素血症再入院情况及相关危险因素。方法 选择2017年1月至2019年12月新生儿高胆红素血症再入院患儿85例作为研究组,按1：2比例在同期新生儿高胆红素血症未再入院病例中配对随机选取170例作为对照组,分析比较两组患儿的临床资料及再入院的危险因素。结果 研究期间新生儿高胆红素血症再入院率为2.30%,中位再入院间隔天数为5 d。研究组首次出院时总胆红素和间接胆红素水平明显高于对照组（P < 0.05）;首次住院期间蓝光治疗时间长于对照组（P < 0.05）。研究组出生体重、胎龄、首次入院时年龄均低于对照组（P < 0.05）,研究组合并葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶（G-6-PD）缺乏症比例和合并溶血病比例高于对照组（P < 0.05）。多因素logsitic分析显示,胎龄小、首次入院时年龄小、合并G-6-PD缺乏症是新生儿高胆红素血症再入院的危险因素（分别OR=1.792、1.415、2.829,P < 0.05）。结论 对存在胎龄小、首次入院时年龄小、合并G-6-PD缺乏症等高危因素的高胆红素血症新生儿,应加强住院及出院后管理,防止该病再入院的发生。     

Bilirubin rebound after intensive phototherapy for neonatal jaundice

This study was conducted to determine the incidence and magnitude of postphototherapy bilirubin rebound in neonates. Subjects included inborn neonates needing phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia. Standard guidelines were used to start and stop phototherapy. Rebound bilirubin was measured 24±6 h after stopping phototherapy. Significant bilirubin rebound (SBR) was defined as postphototherapy bilirubin level needing reinstitution of phototherapy. Among 245 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, post-phototherapy bilirubin estimation was done in 232 neonates. A total of 17 (7.3%) neonates developed SBR. In neonates with SBR, bilirubin increased by 2.3 mg/dL (95% CI 1.6–3.0) after stopping phototherapy. Risk factors for SBR included birth at <35 weeks of gestation (RR 4.3, 95% CI 1.5–12.0), birthweight <2000 g (RR 3.2, 95% CI 1.0–10.3) and onset of jaundice at <60 h of age (RR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2–9.0). Post-phototherapy discharge and follow-up planning should take into account these risk factors.     

不同G-6-PD活性新生儿光疗致溶血机制及其预防

目的探讨不同G6PD活性新生儿光疗溶血机制及预防。方法将G6PD正常与缺陷光疗患儿随机分为维生素E干预组和对照组,测定比较超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、活性氧(ROS)、总胆红素(TB)、血红蛋白(Hb)及光疗指数。结果光疗前G6PD缺陷组比正常组SOD和Hb低,ROS高;光疗中G6PD缺陷干预组比正常干预组SOD高,MDA低,光疗指数小,G6PD缺陷对照组比正常对照组ROS、MDA高,光疗指数大(各组比较均P<0.01或P<0.05)。光疗后G6PD缺陷对照组Hb下降,并比干预组低,G6PD正常两组Hb均下降,干预组比对照组高(各组比较均P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论光疗可致抗氧化能力下降,脂质过氧化损伤致G6PD缺陷光疗者溶血更突出,维生素E干预更有效。     

Capillary and venous bilirubin values. Are they really different?

We measured total serum bilirubin values in paired capillary and venous samples from 79 untreated jaundiced newborn infants (group 1) and in 29 infants who were receiving phototherapy (group 2). While bilirubin values from the two sites correlated significantly for both groups, capillary samples underestimated venous bilirubin values when the latter exceeded 170 mumol/L (10 mg/dL) (mean and 95% confidence limits: group 1, -15.1 mumol/L [-0.9 mg/dL] and -24.7 to -5.5 mumol/L [-1 to -0.3 mg/dL]; group 2, -10.3 mumol/L [-0.6 mg/dL] and -17.1 to -3.4 mumol/L [-1 to -0.2 mg/dL]). Furthermore, capillary samples underestimated venous bilirubin levels by more than 17 mumol/L (1 mg/dL) in eight of 16 group 1 patients and five of 18 group 2 patients when venous bilirubin values exceeded 170 mumol/L (10 mg/dL). Lower capillary values at higher bilirubin levels might be due to the influence of environmental light. As clinical treatment decisions may be made on the basis of differences in serum bilirubin level of about 17 mumol/L (1 mg/dL) and as capillary samples may underestimate venous bilirubin levels by a similar amount, it may be prudent to measure venous rather than capillary bilirubin levels when the total serum bilirubin level exceeds 170 mumol/L (10 mg/dL).     

Effect of feeding type on the efficacy of phototherapy

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of phototherapy for nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia and rebound bilirubin levels in breast-fed newborns as compared with mixed-fed (breast milk and formula) newborns. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective study of effects of feeding type on response to phototherapy in newborns. METHODS: The subjects were 53 full-term healthy newborns with nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia [defined as total serum bilirubin 12 mg/dL (205.2 micromol/L) in the first 48 hours of life or 15 mg/dl (256.5 micromol/L), on subsequent days]. Groups were formed according to type of feeding. Group 1 consisted of 28 breast-fed newborns and group 2 consisted of 25 mixed-fed newborns. Phototherapy was terminated when total serum bilirubin concentration fell to 14 mg/dL (< 239.4 micromol/L). Rebound bilirubin measurements were obtained 24 hours after phototherapy ended. RESULTS: The groups were comparable with respect to age at the start of phototherapy. The amount of weight loss (relative to birth weight) recorded at the start of phototherapy was significantly greater in group 1 than in group 2 (8.1+/- 3.9% vs. 5.4+/- 2.6% p = 0.004). The duration of phototherapy was significantly longer in group 1 than in group 2 (38.6+/- 12.6 h vs. 26.8+/- 9.4 h; P < 0.001). The 24-hour rate of decrease in bilirubin concentration in group 2 was significantly higher than that in group 1 [5.4+/- 2.2 mg/dL/d (92.3+/-37.6 micromol/L/d) vs. 4+/- 1.3 mg/dL/d (68.4+/- 22.2 micromol/L/d); p = 0.01]. The overall rate of decrease in bilirubin concentration in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 2 [0.16+/- 0.05 mg/dL/h (2.73+/- 0.85 micromol/L/h) vs. 0.22+/- 0.09 mg/dL/h (3.76+/- 1.53 micromol/L/h); p = 0.01]. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to rebound bilirubin concentration (P = 0.184). Conclusion: Phototherapy effectively reduced bilirubin levels in breastfed newborns with hyperbilirubinemia, but these patients show significantly slower response to this treatment than mixed-fed newborns.     

Efficacy of oral phenobarbitone in term "at risk" neonates in decreasing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: a randomized double-blinded, placebo controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of oral phenobarbitone in "at risk " term neonates (with high cord bilirubin) in decreasing hyperbilirubinemia. DESIGN: Double blind, placebo-control, randomized trial. SETTING: Tertiary level neonatal unit. OUTCOME: Primary-hyperbilirubinemia defined as total serum bilirubin (TSB) greater than 13 mg/dL. Secondary-TSB at 72 +/- 12 hr, need for phototherapy or exchange transfusion and side effects of phenobarbitone therapy. METHODS: All consecutively born term healthy neonates with cord bilirubin > or = 2.5 mg/dL were randomly assigned to receive either phenobarbitone (n = 37) or placebo (n = 38) after obtaining informed consent. Phenobarbitone was administered orally (5 mg/kg/day) for 3 days starting within 12 hours of birth. The neonates were followed up till seven days of life. TSB was estimated in neonates who developed jaundice with clinically assessed level of 8-10 mg/dL and at 72 +/-12 hours of age in 55 neonates. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were similar in two groups. There was no significant reduction in incidence of hyperbilirubinemia in phenobarbitone group compared to in placebo group (6/37 (16.2%) versus 13/38 (34.3%); RR 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.20-1.11; risk difference: -18.1%, 95% confidence interval: -39.5 to 3.3%). However TSB at 72 +/-12 hours in phenobarbitone group (mean +/- S.D: 10.0 +/- 3.7 mg/dL) was significantly lesser than in placebo group (mean +/- S.D: 12.3 +/- 3.3 mg/dL) (difference of means: -2.3 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval: -3.9 to -0.7 mg/dl, P = 0.018). No significant difference with respect to need for treatment was observed in two groups. No significant adverse effects of phenobarbitone were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic phenobarbitone is not helpful in reducing the incidence of hyper-bilirubinemia in "at risk" term neonates.     

Cord plasma alpha-fetoprotein values and neonatal jaundice

Umbilical cord plasma alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) values were determined in 127 infants with hyperbilirubinemia (56 glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficient and 71 G-6-PD normal) and 136 control subjects (73 G-6-PD deficient and 63 G-6-PD normal). The mean alpha-fetoprotein value of 173 +/- 35.2 (SD) mg/L for the group of infants with hyperbilirubinemia was significantly greater than that (122 +/- 21.7 mg/L) for the control infants (P less than .001). G-6-PD status and sex did not significantly affect the alpha-fetoprotein values. Using an alpha-fetoprotein level of 130 mg/L as a "cut-off" value, the incidence of false-positive results was 25.5% and the incidence of false-negative results was 11.8%. This test can be used as a screening procedure to detect infants at high risk for hyperbilirubinemia.     

布拉氏酵母菌联合光疗治疗新生儿高胆红素血症的疗效：前瞻性随机对照研究

目的 探讨布拉氏酵母菌联合光疗治疗新生儿高胆红素血症的疗效。方法 将2018年1~12月入院治疗的高胆红素血症新生儿随机分为观察组（n=61）和对照组（n=63）。观察组给予光疗+布拉氏酵母菌散,对照组给予光疗+安慰剂,比较两组的治疗效果。治疗72 h后收集患儿粪便样本,通过16s rRNA高通量测序方法分析比较两组新生儿肠道菌群特征。结果 观察组和对照组治疗前总胆红素水平差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。观察组治疗24、48、72 h后的总胆红素水平均显著低于对照组（P < 0.05）。观察组需要再次给予光疗的新生儿比例（12例,20%）显著低于对照组（47例,75%）（P < 0.05）。治疗72 h后观察组肠道内拟杆菌属丰度较对照组高（P < 0.05）,大肠埃希菌属和葡萄球菌属丰度较对照组低（P < 0.05）。结论 光疗联合布拉氏酵母菌治疗对于降低高胆红素血症新生儿胆红素水平及预防黄疸退而复现有较好的疗效。布拉氏酵母菌可能通过调节患儿肠道菌群改善治疗疗效。     

Transcutaneous bilirubinometer in assessment of neonatal jaundice in northern India

This study was undertaken from April 2002 to March 2003 to find out the correlation of transcutaneous bilirubinometer index with serum bilirubin levels in term, pre-term, small for gestation age babies, with and without phototherapy in neonates with jaundice. Another aim was to evaluate the transcutaneous bilirubinometer as a screening device for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia by finding the action levels for TcBI at forehead and sternum at which sample for serum bilirubin estimation should be taken. A total of 104 neonates were evaluated. Mean (SD) age (hours), birth weight (grams) and gestational age (weeks) were 100.4 (37.90), 2264.9 (634.4) and 36.8 (2.9) respectively. Mean serum bilirubin was 16.6 (6) mg/dL. Overall a correlation coefficient of 0.878 at forehead and 0.859 at sternum was observed. On excluding infants receiving phototherapy coefficients of 0.900 at forehead and 0.908 at sternum were noted. Correlation coefficient over forehead and sternum was found to drop from 0.85 to as low as 0.33 with duration of phototherapy exceeding 48 hrs. Lastly the determined action levels had a sensitivity of 77.8 to 100 % in assessing the need for serum bilirubin estimation in various groups.     

Effect of clofibrate in non-hemolytic indirect hyperbilirubinemia in full term neonates

Objective Jaundice is a common clinical problem in neonatal period which may result in brain damage even in healthy full term newborns, when it is severe. The aim of this study was to characterize the therapeutic effect of clofibrate in full term neonates who present with nonhemolytic jaundice. Methods A clinical controlled study was performed on 60 full term neonates who presented with non-hemolytic jaundice. 30 neonates were treated with a single oral dose of clofibrate (100 mg/Kg) plus phototherapy (case group), while 30 neonates received only phototherapy (control group). Both groups were compared in regard to post therapeutic mean total and indirect plasma bilirubin levels, admission duration and the rate of exchange transfusion. Results The reduction rate of total and indirect plasma bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the clofibrate-treated group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). The mean duration of admission was found to be reduced from 2.9 +/− 0.9 days in the control groupl to 2.2 +/− 0.6 days in clofibrate-treated group (P=0.002). The mean plasma total bilirubin level was lower in the clofibrate-treated group. No cases required phototherapy after 48 hour in clofibrate-treated group, while 9 neonates (30%) and 2 neonates (6.7%) required phototherapy after 72 hour and 96 hour respectively in the control group. There was no difference between both the groups for sex, the time of developing jaundice and the rate of exchange transfusion. Conclusion A single dose of clofibrate (100 mg/Kg) alongwith phototherapy is more effective than phototherapy alone in treating non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia in term healthy newborn infants.     

Jaundice in the healthy newborn infant: a new approach to an old problem

We measured the serum bilirubin concentrations in 2,416 consecutive infants admitted to our well baby nursery. The maximal serum bilirubin concentration exceeded 12.9 mg/dL (221 mumol/L) in 147 infants (6.1%), and these infants were compared with 147 randomly selected control infants with maximal serum bilirubin levels less than or equal to 12.9 mg/dL. A serum bilirubin concentration greater than 12.9 mg/dL was associated strongly with breast-feeding (P = .0000) and percentage of weight loss after birth (P = .0001), as well as with maternal diabetes, oriental race, decreased gestational age, male sex, bruising, and induction of labor with oxytocin. Risk ratios and the risk of jaundice were calculated for hypothetical infants in the presence and absence of these variables. These calculations show that, in certain infants, "nonphysiologic" jaundice is likely to develop and its presence in such infants might not require laboratory investigations. In others, a modest degree of hyperbilirubinemia could be cause for concern. An awareness of these factors and their potential contribution to serum bilirubin levels permits a more rational approach to the action levels used for the investigation of jaundice in the newborn. We need a new definition of physiologic jaundice.     

Effect of phenobarbital treatment on erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in human newborns

The effect of phenobarbital (PB) treatment on erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) levels was studied in normal and G-6-PD-deficient human newborns. An increase of erythrocyte G-6-PD levels was observed in normal G-6-PD patients, while increase in the enzymatic activity was not observed in G-6-PD-deficient neonates.