The Study of Cord Blood Albumin as a Risk Predictor of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Objective: To study correlation between umbilical cord blood albumin (CBA) and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Methods: From January 2023 to December 2023, a prospective observational study was conducted on 150 neonates, clinically stable babies delivered either vaginally or by caesarean section with birth weight ≥2 kg. At birth, CBA was analysed and neonate was followed up till 72 hours of birth for hyperbilirubinemia. Detailed analysis was done to correlate CBA with significant hyperbilirubinemia requiring treatment according to >35 weeks charts (AAP guidelines 2022). The statistical analysis used were Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: On the basis of CBA obtained, all the neonates were classified into 3 groups, 1st of 2-2.5g/dl, 2nd of 2.51 – 3g/dl and 3rd of >3g/dl. Significant hyperbilirubinemia (requiring phototherapy) was observed in 45 (30%) neonates and 105 neonates (70%) had no hyperbilirubinemia. The association between CBA levels and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia had strong statistically significant relationship (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that, CBA level of 2.15mg/dl belonging to group 1 had the highest sensitivity (95%) and specificity (100%) to predict appearance of significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and was statistically significant (p value<0.05).