A Retrospective Study on Neonatal Jaundice: Early Risk Stratification Value of DAT-FAT Serological Profiles Confirmed by AET.

Abstract

This retrospective study aimed to explore the value of DAT-FAT serological profiles confirmed by AET in classifying neonatal jaundice, evaluating its severity, and guiding clinical management. A total of 915 jaundiced newborns (584 pathological, 331 physiological) admitted from July 2018 to August 2021 were included. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors. To assess predictive ability for jaundice type and early risk stratification of jaundice severity, the 426 patients with ABO incompatibility were stratified into subgroups based on the results of the DAT-FAT-AET serological panel. Maternal pregnancy count, gestational weeks, direct bilirubin at admission, and ABO incompatibility were identified as independent predictors of jaundice type (p < 0.05). Those who tested triple-positive in the DAT-FAT-AET serological panel (Group 2) had the highest predictive value for pathological jaundice (area under the curve, 0.920 [0.788-0.994]), indicating the maximum severity of pathological jaundice (p < 0.01). AET serves as the definitive criterion for confirming ABO-incompatible jaundice, while DAT-FAT profiles enable early risk stratification of severity. Subgrouping by AET-confirmed DAT-FAT serology helps assess etiology and severity in ABO-incompatible neonatal jaundice, supporting clinical early risk stratification.