Cord Blood Alkaline Phosphatase as an Indicator of Neonatal Jaundice.
BACKGROUND
Management of hyperbilirubinemia remains a challenge for neonatal medicine because of the risk of neurological complications related to the toxicity of severe hyperbilirubinemia.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of cord blood alkaline phosphatase level for predicting neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.


METHODS
Between October and December 2013 a total of 102 healthy term infants born to healthy mothers were studied. Cord blood samples were collected for measurement of alkaline Phosphatase levels immediately after birth. Neonates were followed-up for the emergence of jaundice. Newborns with clinical jaundice were recalled and serum bilirubin levels measured. Appropriate treatment based on serum bilirubin level was performed. Alkaline phosphatase levels between the non-jaundiced and jaundiced treated neonates were compared.


RESULTS
The incidence of severe jaundice that required treatment among followed-up neonates was 9.8%. The mean alkaline phosphatase level was 309.09 ± 82.51 IU/L in the non-jaundiced group and 367.80 ± 73.82 IU/L in the severely jaundiced group (P = 0.040). The cutoff value of 314 IU/L was associated with sensitivity 80% and specificity 63% for predicting neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The cord blood alkaline phosphatase level can be used as a predictor of severe neonatal jaundice.
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR Iran.
Mousa
M
Ahmadpour-Kacho
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR Iran.
Yadollah
Y
Zahed Pasha
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR Iran.
Mohsen
M
Haghshenas
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR Iran.
Zahra
Z
Akbarian Rad
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR Iran.
Alireza
A
Firouzjahi
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR Iran.
Ali
A
Bijani
Children And Adolescent Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
Abdollah
A
Dehvari
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR Iran.
Mehrangiz
M
Baleghi
Alkaline Phosphatese; Fetal Blood; Hyperbilirubinemia; Jaundice; Newborn