Hour-specific nomogram for transcutaneous Bilirubin in newborns in Myanmar

Applicability of the hour of life approach in hyperbilirubinemia among Filipino term infants

BACKGROUND

Hyperbilirubinemia remains a common morbidity among infants. Additional research on bilirubin kinetics and associated risk factors will contribute to providing a more targeted management approach for the Filipino infant.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a Filipino bilirubin nomogram by studying bilirubin patterns during the first 5 days of life.

METHODOLOGY

This prospective study recruited 1,412 stable, full-term infants (≥37 weeks age of gestation) born at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Using the Dräger-Minolta JM-103 jaundice meter, transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) levels were determined at the 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th, 36th, 48th, 72nd, 96th, and 120th hour of life (HOL). A bilirubin nomogram was created using the averages of 3 TcB forehead and sternal measurements at each time epoch. Simultaneous measurement of TcB and total serum bilirubin (TsB) on a subset of 106 infants was done to determine correlation.

RESULTS

Correlation coefficients were high between TsB and forehead TcB (r² = 0.88), and between TsB and sternal TcB (r² = 0.91). The Filipino bilirubin nomogram reflected a steep rise until the 48th hour, followed by plateauing of values. Inadequate nursing and bilirubin levels at 12th and 48th HOL were risk factors for developing significant hyperbilirubinemia at 72nd HOL.

CONCLUSION

TcB is a reliable, non-invasive bilirubin screening tool. Among healthy, full-term, Filipino infants, their nomogram features a sudden increase in bilirubin values during the first 48 h, followed by a plateau. To aid in identification of infants at risk for significant hyperbilirubinemia, healthcare providers can assess breastfeeding adequacy and perform bilirubin screening at the 24th-48th HOL. Registration No. (RGAO-2016-0686).

Transcutaneous bilirubin-based screening reduces the need for blood exchange transfusion in Myanmar newborns: A single-center, retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a significant health problem in Myanmar. We introduced transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements in 2017 and developed an hour-specific TcB nomogram for early detection and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in Myanmar neonates. This study aimed to evaluate whether our screening method for hyperbilirubinemia decreased the requirement of blood exchange therapy (ET).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Central Women's Hospital, Yangon. Two groups were included as follows: group 1 (control group; comprising infants born in 2016 and screened on the basis of Kramer's rule), and group 2 (intervention group; comprising infants born in 2019 and screened by TcB measurement using a nomogram). The number of ETs was analyzed based on causes of hyperbilirubinemia and number of days after birth.

RESULTS

Groups 1 and 2 comprised 12,968 and 10,090 infants, respectively. Forty-six and two infants in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, required an ET. The odds ratio for ET was 18.0 (Group 1 to Group 2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.8-67.1; p = 0.000). Serum bilirubin values at the time ET was administered were significantly higher in Group 1 than those in Group 2 (median: 23.0 and 16.8, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The management of hyperbilirubinemia using our screening method (TcB Nomogram) can effectively reduce the need for ET in neonates in Myanmar.