Correlation of 25-hydroxy vitamin D level with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term healthy newborn: A prospective hospital-based observation study

Background

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the common entities that lead to frequent hospital admission of newborn. There are many risk factors that, when present, can lead to increased chances of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It is essential to identify these risk factors that are involved in the increased incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia because its incidence can be decreased by modifying them.

Objective

To compare and determine any correlation of 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of newborn and their mothers with the serum bilirubin level of newborn.

Methodology

This was a case–control study conducted in a tertiary care hospital on 100 newborn who were divided into two groups (50 in each group) on the basis of their serum bilirubin level on the 5th day of life. Newborns having serum bilirubin levels in the physiological range were included in the control group, and newborns having serum bilirubin levels out of the physiological range and who needed treatment were included in the case group. The blood samples of both newborns and their mothers were collected on the 5th day and sent to the laboratory for serum bilirubin and 25-hydroxy vitamin D estimation.

Results

The mean serum vitamin D level of cases was found to be lower than that of controls in both newborn and their mothers. A statistically significant difference was noted only between the vitamin D level of newborn but not in mothers when cases and controls were compared. Negative, statistically insignificant correlation was seen between vitamin D level and serum bilirubin in cases and controls. However, correlation of the vitamin D level of cases and their serum bilirubin was statistically significant, with a correlation coefficient of −0.335 and a p value of 0.0172.

Conclusion

Term healthy newborn having hyperbilirubinemia, with serum bilirubin levels out of the physiological range, have significantly low vitamin D levels and show a statistically negatively correlation with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (which is out of the physiological range). Thus, decreased vitamin D can be included in the list of risk factors for neonatal jaundice.