Journal of

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Introduction: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common benign problem in neonates. Nonetheless, if untreated, severe hyperbilirubinemia is potentially neurotoxic. The standard method for diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia is determination of serum bilirubin levels in the laboratory that requires a blood sample which is both painful and stressful for neonates and entails cost and time. The objective of this study was to study the correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin levels (JH 20-1 bilirobinometer) and serum bilirubin levels. Method: This prospective study was done on 100 jaundiced newborn term infants from March to October, 2006. Initial clinical assessment of jaundice was carried out by a physician (researcher) and simultaneously, blood sample was collected and a JH20-1 bilirubinometer was applied at two sites forehead and sternum. Results: The study group consisted of 57 boys and 43 girls diagnosed as jaundiced neonates. The mean serum bilirubin and mean transcutaneous bilirubin levels at forehead and sternum were 13.35, 12.95 and 12.46 mg/dl, respectively. The correlation coefficient of bilirubin levels estimated by the bilirubinometer at the forehead and sternum and serum levels were 0.773 and 0.731, respectively. At bilirubin levels higher than 12 mg/dl (cut off point), the bilirubinometer had a decreased sensitivity, but an increased specificity. Conclusion: Transcutaneous bilirubin measurements using JH20-1 bilirubinimeter correlate well with total serum bilirubin levels, but when bilirubin levels are higher than 12mg/dl, sensitivity of the device is reduced and therefore not reliable.

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Introduction: Neonatal jaundice is regarded as a common problem in newborns observed in 60% of term and80% of preterm neonates. Maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy may directly influence the mothers’ health, incidence of pregnancy-related complaints, fetal development as well as risks during pregnancy. Maternal nutrition has been traditionally held to produce an effect on neonatal jaundice and it is a deep-rooted belief that hot natured  food can increase the rise of bilirubin in neonates. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the neonatal bilirubin level based on the mother ̕s nutrition via hot and cold nutured foods.

Methods: In this cross- sectional study, conducted in Hafez hospital of Shiraz in 2013, 180 mothers were  studied considering inclusion and exclusion criteria via applying food frequency questionnaire and data collecting forms. Serum bilirubin level was measured and hemolytic tests were performed for neonates. The collected data were analyzed by non-parametric tests, repeated measurments and spearman correlation using SPSS Software (ver, 15).

Results: There was no significant relationship between the mean level of bilirubin on 5^th day with hot and cold natured foods. However, a direct significant correlation was observed in regard with some foods.

Conclusion: The study findings revealed that, contrary to the common belief, hot natured foods are not the only cause of elevated bilirubin level in neonates, though, some foods may elevate the bilirubin level by reduced bowel movements followed by an increase in enterohepatic cycle.