Enolving Trends: Hyperbilirubinemia Among Newborns Delivered to Rh Negative Mothers in Southern India 2508-2510
Correspondence
Dr. Girish N.,
#1753/A, 1st ‘C’ Main Road, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bangalore–560010, India.
Phone: 9611110857, E-mail: drgirish79@gmail.com
Introduction: Neonatal jaundice is the commonest abnormal physical finding in the new born nursery and hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) among babies born to Rh negative mothers is the most formidable etiology. During last few decades considerable evolution has been observed in this entity secondary to development of several novel preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.
Objective: To study the current trends in presentation, management and outcome of hyperbilirubinemia among newborns delivered to Rh negative mothers. Methodology: This observational descriptive study with prospective data collection included one hundred live born term babies born to Rh negative mothers in our hospital. A predesigned proforma was used to record antenatal and postnatal data .Cord blood collected during delivery for assessment of bilirubin,hematocrit and direct coombs test.Serum bilirubin levels were estimated in babies with clinical jaundice and treated for the same if required.All babies were regularly followed up weekly for one month. Chi square test/Fisher Exact test and Student “t†test has been used to find the significant association of jaundice(incidence,treatment) and study characteristics.
Results: Out of 100 babies enrolled, 57 babies developed jaundice. Jaundice is 2.7 times more likely associated with babies born to multiparous Rh-ve mothers with p=0.017*. Jaundice is 3 times more likely associated with Rh+ve babies born to multiparous mothers with p=0.020*. Jaundice is 3.97 times more likely associated with Rh+ve babies born to multiparous mothers who have not received Anti-D with p=0.154. Treatment of jaundice is 2.75 times more likely in Rh+ve babies born to multiparous mothers who have not received Anti-D with p=0.162. Duration of phototherapy is significantly more in Rh+ve babies born to multiparous mothers who had not received Anti-D with p=0.0097*.Exchange transfusion was required in two babies.
Conclusion: Although the incidence of Rh isoimmunization has declined dramatically over the years ,it is still an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality emphasizing the need for more vigorous preventive efforts and up-to-date management skills.