A Study on the Correlation between Bilirubin, NRBC and Reticulocyte levels of cord blood with Neonatal Hyperbillirubinemia

The Neonatal Jaundice is a common and benign disease. With early discharge, many newborns have to be readmitted to hospital for evaluation and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. In these situations, the main concern is the prevention of development of kernicterus. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between Bilirubin, NRBC and Reticulocyte levels of umbilical cord blood with Neonatal Hyperbillirubinemia in Kosar Hospital of Qazvin. in this analytical-descriptive study, a representative sample of 74 healthy full-term newborns that were heavier than 2500 grams and were born in spring 2011, were investigated. Cord blood was taken from umbilical cord for analysis of NRBC, Reticulocyte and Bilirubin levels, then newborns were monitored in terms of developing jaundice by clinical and laboratory evaluations in the fifth day. The cord blood level of NRBC and Reticulocyte in icteric newborns which required phototherapy was significantly higher than non-icteric newborns. The sensitivity and specificity of NRBC that were more than 5.5% for prediction of jaundice development were 66% and 90%, respectively (p<0.000). The above findings for Reticulocyte percentage more than 6.5% were 73% and 60%, respectively, (p<0.001). The routine evaluation of Bilirubin level in umbilical cord is not as effective for screening and recognition of high risk of Neonates. Instead, cord NRBC and Reticulocyte levels could be used.