AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightPrevention of early hospital discharges, family education to increase awareness for hazardous effects ofhyperbilirubinemia, and early follow-up visits after discharge would reduce the disease burden.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Background/aim: Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Theaim was to assess etiologic reasons for development of severe hyperbilirubinemia and define risk factors for exchange transfusion andacute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) in Şanlıurfa located in the southeast region of Turkey.Materials and methods: An observational cohort study included 115 infants with ≥35 weeks of gestation admitted with diagnosis ofsevere hyperbilirubinemia in a period of 18 months. Potential risk factors associated with exchange transfusion and development ofABE were analyzed.Results: Among 115 infants, 67 (58.3%) received exchange transfusion and 45 (39.1%) developed ABE. Rh isoimmunization (OR: 24.6,95% CI = 2.2–271, P = 0.009), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) (OR: 21.1, 95% CI = 1.8–238.4, P = 0.01), earlydischarge (OR: 14.4, 95% CI = 4.2–48.9, P ≤ 0.001), and male sex (OR: 4.3, 95% CI = 1.3–14.1, P = 0.02) were independently associatedwith an increased risk for exchange transfusion. Being a refugee (OR: 6.8, 95% CI = 1.8–25.8, P = 0.005) and G6PD deficiency (OR: 9.9,95% CI = 1.3–71.9, P = 0.02) were associated with development of ABE.Conclusion: Early discharge, Rh isoimmunization, and G6PD deficiency are significant risk factors for severe hyperbilirubinemiaand exchange transfusion. Prevention of early hospital discharges, family education to increase awareness for hazardous effects ofhyperbilirubinemia, and early follow-up visits after discharge would reduce the disease burden.