ENES GÜNEŞ, DİDEM ARMAN, NURSU KARA, SERDAR COMERT
Southern Clinics of Istanbul Eurasia - 2023;34(1):54-58
INTRODUCTION: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common problems of late preterm and term babies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relation between cord blood bilirubin levels. blood gas parameters. and the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia. METHODS: Our study included 812 babies who met the inclusion criteria. Umbilical cord blood bilirubin levels and blood gas analysis were determined. Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) values were recorded at postnatal 0, 12, 24, and 48 h. Babies with TcB levels above the 75% percentile were classified as severe hyperbilirubinemia; babies whose bilirubin level was below the 75% percentile were included in the control group. Demographic data were obtained from the birth records of babies. Results: The average birth weight and gestational age were 3265.99±482.14 g and 38.57±1.44 weeks. respectively. The mean pH, pCO2, HCO3, BE, and lactate levels were 7.28±0.06, 49.26±8.04, 22.45±2.46, -3.99±2.45, and 2.98±1.08, respectively. The mean cord bilirubin measurements were found to be 1.99±0.66 mg/dl. TcB levels at 0, 12, 24, and 48 h were found to be 1.92±0.85, 3.75±1.26, 6.01±1.91, and 8.63±2.36 mg/dl, respectively. We found a statistically significant correlation between PN 0 h TcB measurements and cord blood bilirubin levels. While cord blood bilirubin and PN 0 h TcB measurements were found to be highly correlated (r=0.638; p<0.01), cord blood bilirubin and 12, 24, and 48 h TcB measurements were moderately correlated (r=0.573; p<0.01), (r=0.559; p<0.01) (r=0.482; p<0.01). There was not any statistically significant difference regarding cord blood pH, PCO2, HCO3, and lactate levels between groups with or without significant hyperbilirubinemia (p>0.05). Only cord blood base access levels were found to be significantly higher in group with significant hyperbilirubinemia (p=0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found a statistically significant correlation between PN 0 h TcB measurements and cord blood bilirubin levels. Postnatal 0 h TcB measurements may be used to screen significant hyperbilirubinemia. We also found a significant relation between cord blood base access levels and development of significant hyperbilirubinemia. Cord blood base access levels may help to screen significant hyperbilirubinemia.
