Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY TO DETERMINE THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SERUM BILIRUBIN AND EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES

Author(s): Lyana Najwa Kamaruddin*, Faheezmal Ali Napiah, Muhammad Fahmi Mohd Fariz, Nurul Syahira Ab Rahman, Nor Azlina Mohammad Rashid

Introduction: Neonatal jaundice is the most common clinical condition requiring medical attention in newborns which is about 50% in term infants and 80% in preterm infants. One sequelae of hyperbilirubinemia is kernicterus which can result in possible fatality, or neurodevelopmental defect in survivors. Therefore, our study is designed specially to determine the relationship of serum bilirubin and developmental problems for infants in Malaysia. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study conducted in a private community hospital in Malaysia. The participants were newborns born in 2021 and 2022 at the private community hospital who develop jaundice during the first 14 days of life. The sample selection was done by convenience sampling. A validated questionnaire adapted from the Dutch Developmental Instrument via phone calls or online platforms was used to collect data. Results: The results concluded that there is association between serum bilirubin and the early developmental milestone. Conclusion: Newborns that has serum bilirubin more than 15mg/dL has a lower D-score.