Author(s): Arun Babu T and Vishnu Bhat B
Present study was conducted to identify predictors of abnormal neurodevelopment at 6 months in term babies with early neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Neonatal intensive care unit with follow up clinic in a tertiary care teaching hospital. All the term neonates having peak serum bilirubin (PSB) values of above 15mg/dl within first week of life were enrolled in the study. A detailed history, investigations and treatment given were recorded. These babies were followed and development quotient was calculated at 6 months using Baroda devel-opment screening test (BDST). Peak serum bilirubin > 25 mg/dl, need for exchange transfu-sion, Rh incompatibility and onset of jaundice within 2 days of birth were found to predict abnormal neurodevelopment at 6 months. Such significant difference were not noted with other factors like sex, head circumference and birth weight. The presence of these risk fac-tors should alert the clinician regarding the potential risk of abnormal development.