Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the reasons and risk factors of development of indirect hyperbilirubinemia in babies whose gestation age ?35 weeks.

Material and Method: This study was a retrospective medical chart review. Neonates who were born ?35 gestation weeks and treated with the diagnose of indirect hyperbilirubinemia in neonatal intensive care unit of Sisli Etfal Education and Research Hospital in ten years period (between January 2000 and December 2009) were subjected to this study. Etiologic risk factors, clinical and laboratory findings were investigated for 1335 neonates retrospectively.

Results: The gender, mean gestational age and mean birth weight of the infants were 57.6% male, 38.6±1.0 weeks and 3081±533 g, respectively. The ratio of the first children of their families was found 51.7% and amount of 60.2% were breastfeeding. Admisson time was 5.2±3.7 days and total bilirubin level was 19.2±4.8 mg/dl. As the etiological risk factors were assesed, in 293 of patients (21.9%) ABO incompatibility was detected, and in 107 of patients (8%) excessive weight loss whereas no etiologic cause was defined in 719 of patients (53.9%). Hyperbilirubinemia was found to be more frequent for male gender and patients with weight loss, and these properties were significant risk factor for higher bilirubin levels (p

Key words: Neonate, hyperbilirubinemia, risk factors