Evaluation of the cord blood albumin for the early prediction of neonatal jaundice

Background and Aim: Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia (NH) is the most common cause for readmission during the early neonatal period. There are reports of bilirubin induced brain damage occurred in healthy term infants even without haemolysis and the sequalae could be serious. Aim of the study was to predict the development of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia at birth using Cord Serum Albumin as a risk indicator.Material and Methods: Observation study was performed on 348 healthy term new-borns. Cord blood was collected from the healthy term new-borns delivered either vaginally or caesarean section for cord serum albumin level measurements. Total serum bilirubin and direct serum bilirubin were measured during 72-96 hours of life with serum sampling of peripheral venous blood. Newburn was assessed clinically daily for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia or for any other complication during the study period. Results: Study cohort is grouped into Group1, Group2 and Group 3 based on Cord Serum Albumin level 2.8g/dl, 2.9-3.3g/dl and 3.4g/dl, respectively. In these groups, new-borns with total serum bilirubin level 17mg/dl after 72 hours are taken as Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia, requiring interventions like phototherapy or exchange transfusion. Conclusion: There is a correlation between Cord serum albumin level and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term new-borns. Cord serum albumin level of 2.8 g/dl can predict the development of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.