Online ISSN: 2515-8260

UTILITY OF CORD SERUM ALBUMIN (CSA) IN PREDICTION OF NEONATAL HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA

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DR. NAINI PURI, DR RAGINI SINGH, DR FARAH EHSAAN

Abstract

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, characterized by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, is a common condition in newborns. Early identification of newborns at risk for severe hyperbilirubinemia is crucial for timely intervention and prevention of adverse outcomes. This study aims to investigate the utility of cord serum albumin (CSA) as a predictive indicator for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term newborns. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sri Guru Ram Rai University of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, from July 2021 to October 2022. The study sample included 248 term neonates with a gestational age of 37 weeks or more. The newborns were monitored for the development of jaundice, sepsis, or other ailments. Cord serum albumin of all healthy newborn was sent at birth and subsequent serum bilirubin levels were measured of newborns who were clinically icteric with Kramer stage equal to or > 3 to assess the presence and severity of hyperbilirubinemia. Results: The study findings revealed a significant association between cord serum albumin levels and the development of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Newborns in Group A (<2.8 gm/dl) had a higher incidence of hyperbilirubinemia compared to Group C (>3.3 gm/dl). These findings suggest that lower cord serum albumin levels are associated with an increased risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Conclusion: Cord serum albumin levels can serve as a useful predictor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term newborns. Identification of newborns with lower cord serum albumin levels can help healthcare providers implement appropriate preventive measures and interventions to reduce the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia

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