Clinical profile of term neonates requiring intervention for hyperbilirubinemia

Introduction: Neonatal jaundice is the imbalance between bilirubin production and conjugation, resulting in increased serum bilirubin levels. It is visible in the skin and eyes, only when the total serum bilirubin level exceeds 5–7 mg/dl. Sixty percent of the term and almost 80% of the preterm babies develop neonatal jaundice. Objectives: To identify the etiology of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates and to determine short-term outcomes in terms of rebound hyperbilirubinemia during hospital stay and other modalities of intervention in these babies. Methods: We did a cross-sectional, descriptive, and retrospective chart-based study. The clinical profile of term neonates treated for hyperbilirubinemia was procured from the inpatient medical records and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge summaries over 5 years from January 2017 to December 2021. Short-term outcomes, such as duration of hospital stay, rebound hyperbilirubinemia, and other modalities of treatment used, were noted. Results: A total of 252 term babies who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Two hundred and thirty-four babies were delivered vaginally, 10 by cesarean section, and 8 extracted by instrumental delivery. Ninety-eight babies had ABO incompatibility and 19 Rh incompatibility. Twelve babies had elevated cord thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Seventy-one babies had signs of bilirubin encephalopathy. Thirty-nine babies had sepsis. Fifty-three of them had significant weight loss suggestive of improper feeding. Thirty-three babies had cephalhematoma. Nine babies were born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus. All 252 babies underwent phototherapy. Thirty-two babies required a prolonged hospital stay of more than 1 week and seven had rebound hyperbilirubinemia. Nine babies required exchange transfusion. Two received intravenous immunoglobulin. Conclusions: The most common risk factor associated was ABO incompatibility, followed by inadequate breastfeeding. As only nine neonates required exchange transfusion, early and prompt initiation of phototherapy remains the best modality of treatment. Emphasis on proper feeding technique can go a long way in preventing admission to NICU, as it is the second-most common preventable cause of hyperbilirubinemia.