RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FUTURE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES IN HEALTHY, TERM NEWBORNS AND THE PEAK BLOOD BILIRUBIN LEVEL IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LIFE

Abstract

Background: Most newborns suffer from neonatal jaundice, a common illness that does not harm the brain. When serum 
bilirubin levels are higher than bilirubin binding capability, ABE (acute bilirubin encephalopathy) occurs. Even after effective 
treatment, the reversibility of brain damage caused by ABE remains a worry. 
Aim: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between future neurodevelopmental outcomes in 
healthy babies born at term and the peak blood bilirubin level in the first week of life. Infants with exceptionally high blood 
bilirubin levels during the first week of birth were also evaluated for future neurodevelopmental consequences. 
Methods: 104 term and near-term infants with bilirubin levels more than 20 mg/dl and symptoms of ABE (acute bilirubin 
encephalopathy) were evaluated in this research. These subjects were assessed at the 3rd and 6th month to assess their 
neurodevelopment. Utilizing the Denver Development Screening Test (DDST-II) and brainstem evoked response audiometry 
(BERA), neurological outcomes were evaluated. 
Results: Study findings revealed that the average peak TSB (total serum bilirubin) in the participants was 25.1±2.33 mg/dl. 
Abnormal development was seen in 23.5% (n=24) of the newborn participants, and such abnormalities were more prevalent 
in neonates whose total blood bilirubin level was greater than 28 mg/dl. Among newborns, 13.7% had abnormal BERA. 
Conclusion: The reversibility of acute brain damage caused by bilirubin can be determined by a cut-off value of less than 25 
mg/dl of total serum bilirubin. The evaluating professionals should give it careful thought and not pass up the opportunity to 
intervene. A newborn with a total serum bilirubin level of greater than 28 mg/dl and advanced stages of ABE, such as II and 
III, is also likely to have a bad result.