Am J Perinatol 2020; 37(S 02): S89-S100
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716972
Selected Abstracts
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Diagnostic Markers of Prolonged Neonatal Jaundice

Olena Mazur
1   Pediatrics Department, National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine
,
Olga Yablon
1   Pediatrics Department, National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine
,
Tatiana Savrun
1   Pediatrics Department, National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine
,
Anastasiia Konoplitska
1   Pediatrics Department, National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine
,
Nataliia Chornopyshchuk
1   Pediatrics Department, National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
08 September 2020 (online)

 

Introduction Due to the polyethiology of neonatal jaundice, it is necessary to investigate new markers that can predict the development of prolonged course of this pathological condition. These diagnostic markers allow identification of new methods of differential diagnosis of neonatal jaundice, as well as decrease the frequency of this pathology. The aim of this study was to determine the role of serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in newborns with prolonged jaundice.

Materials and Methods The study group included 80 term newborns who were treated in the newborn pathology department. Group A included 45 newborns with duration of jaundice up to 1 month: 25 boys and 20 girls; and Group B included 40 newborns with duration of jaundice over than 1 month: 22 boys and 18 girls. The control group included 20 healthy newborns. Exclusion criteria were blood group incompatibilities and congenital anomalies. The average duration of jaundice was 18.8 ± 0.8 days in the Group A, 28.2 ± 0.7 days in the group B (p < 0.05). Serum AFP measurements were made using an AccuBind ELISA Test System (Monobind Inc., Lake Forest, CA).

Results Relatively higher level of indirect bilirubin was in newborns in the Group A in relation to newborns in the Group B: 286.1 ± 10.2 and 240.1 ± 12.3 μmolе/L (p < 0.05). Level of serum AFP was significantly higher in the group A and B than in the control group. Thus, in the group A, the AFP level was 677.1 (472.7; 783.7) ng/mL; in group B was 771.2 (686.6; 934.4) ng/mL, which significantly exceeded the value of AFP in the control group, 401.0 (284.9; 684.0) ng/mL (p < 0.05). They established the high sensitivity (83.0–86.0%) and specificity (60.0%) of the level of serum AFP in newborns with prolonged jaundice.

Conclusion Analysis of the serum AFP content of newborns showed that this indicator was 1.7 times higher in newborns with prolonged jaundice up to 1 month and 1.9 times higher with prolongation of jaundice over than 1 month in relation to newborns in the control group, indicating the role of possible damage hepatocyte growth and/or their function.