TO STUDY UTILITY OF CORD BLOOD ALBUMIN AS A PREDICTOR OF SIGNIFICANT NEONATAL JAUNDICE IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF JHARKHAND

Dr. Pushpanjali; Dr. Partha Kumar Chaudhuri; Dr. Upendra Prasad Sahu; Dr. Anil Kumar Chaudhary

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2018

TO STUDY UTILITY OF CORD BLOOD ALBUMIN AS A PREDICTOR OF SIGNIFICANT NEONATAL JAUNDICE IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF JHARKHAND

Dr. Pushpanjali, Dr. Partha Kumar Chaudhuri, Dr. Upendra Prasad Sahu, Dr. Anil Kumar Chaudhary

Abstract :

Aim: To study the association between cord blood albumin level and subsequent development of significant neonatal jaundice (NNJ) in healthy term newborns. Methods and Materials: A prospective study was done in 105 sequentially born healthy term babies(gestational age > 37 weeks) of either gender, from any mode of delivery, with any birth weight, Apgar score ≥7 at first and fifth minutes of life, without ABO and Rh incompatibility. They were divided into 3groups A, B, and C according to cord blood albumin levels < 2.8 gm/dl, 2.8–3.3 gm/dl and >3.3 gm/dl respectively and then followed clinically for jaundice upto day 5 of life or till hospital stay whichever was later. Wherever necessary further laboratory tests were done and baby managed accordingly. Results: Group A, B, and C had 21, 38, and 46 newborns respectively. In group A, 17(80.9%) neonates developed jaundice of which 15 (71.4%) required phototherapy and 1 (4.7%) needed exchange transfusion, whereas 20(52.6%) neonates in group B developed jaundice, of which 10 (26%) needed phototherapy and none required exchange transfusion. In group C 12 (26%) developed jaundice of which 1 (2.1%) required phototherapy and none of them required exchange transfusion (p value <0.001).Conclusion: Umbilical cord serum albumin levels are useful in predicting subsequent neonatal jaundice in healthy term newborns. Neonates with cord blood albumin levels > 3.3 gm/dl are probably safe for early discharge whereas neonates with albumin levels <3.3 gm/dl will need a close follow up to check for development of jaundice.