Investigation of the relationship between cord clamping time and risk of hyperbilirubinemia.

BACKGROUND: Although the relationship between umbilical cord clamping time and various parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb) levels, iron deficiency, and risk of neonatal jaundice has previously been studied, to the best of our knowleadge there have been no studies investigating the relationship between cord clamping time and the risk of significant hyperbilirubinemia. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the time of umbilical cord clamping and transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements made on various postnatal hours, Hb and serum total bilirubin (STB) levels measured on postnatal 4th day, and the risk of development of significant hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy treatment. METHODS: Eligible newborns were divided into two groups on the basis of the time of cord clamping: those clamped late (60 seconds or more; Group I) and those clamped early (less than 60 seconds; Group II). Groups were compared with respect to the parameters of cord Hb, postnatal TcB measurements at 6th, 48th, 96th and 168th hours, and 96th hour Hb, STB and direct bilirubin levels. RESULTS: TcB levels at the 96th and 168th hour were significantly higher in Group I when compared to Group II (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The 96th hour STB level was significantly higher in Group I when compared to Group II (p < 0.001). The need of phototherapy requirement was higher in Group I when compared to Group II (p=0.001). Increase in cord blood Hb for each 1 gr/dl caused a 3.94-fold increased risk in the requirement of phototherapy treatment. Cord clamping time showed statistically significant positive correlations with both cord blood and 96th hour venous Hb levels, with both 96th hour and 168th hour TcB levels, and with 96th hour STB levels. CONCLUSIONS: Newborns whose cords are clamped late should be followed up closely with respect to high postnatal bilirubin levels and other risks associated with significant hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy treatment.

Hyperbilirubinemia due to minor blood group (anti-E) incompatibility in a newborn: a case report.

In addition to Rh and ABO incompatibilities subgroup incompatibilities may rarely play a role among the causes of hemolytic anemia and indirect hyperbilirubinemia in newborns. The most common minor blood group antigens that cause blood incompatibility between the mother and baby are C, c, E, e, Kell, Duffy, Diego, Kidd and MNSs antigens. In this article, a newborn in whom hyperbilirubinemia due to anti-E minor blood group incompatibility developed and was treated with phototherapy succesfully is presented and minor blood group incompatibilities due to anti-E are reviewed.

Association Between Early Idiopathic Neonatal Jaundice and Urinary Tract Infections.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Etiologic role, incidence, demographic, and response-to-treatment characteristics of urinary tract infection (UTI) among neonates, its relationship with significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and abnormalities of the urinary system were studied in a prospective investigation in early (⩽10 days) idiopathic neonatal jaundice in which all other etiologic factors of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were ruled out. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Urine samples for microscopic and bacteriologic examination were obtained with bladder catheterization from 155 newborns with early neonatal jaundice. Newborns with a negative urine culture and with a positive urine culture were defined as group I and group II, respectively, and the 2 groups were compared with each other. RESULTS: The incidence of UTI in whole of the study group was 16.7%. Serum total and direct bilirubin levels were statistically significantly higher in group II when compared with group I (P = .005 and P = .001, respectively). Decrease in serum total bilirubin level at the 24th hour of phototherapy was statistically significantly higher in group I compared with group II (P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary tract infection should be investigated in the etiologic evaluation of newborns with significant hyperbilirubinemia. The possibility of UTI should be considered in jaundiced newborns who do not respond to phototherapy well or have a prolonged duration of phototherapy treatment.

Relationship between neonatal adrenomedullin and bilirubin levels.

INTRODUCTION: Oxidative stress and inflammation are the basic molecular mechanisms in bilirubin neurotoxicity. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum bilirubin and an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective peptid, adrenomedullin (AM) levels. METHODS: The correlation between serum bilirubin and AM levels was investigated in a total of 87 newborns. Newborns were further divided into two groups according to the serum bilirubin levels. Group I (with significant hyperbilirubinemia) and Group II (without significant hyperbilirubinemia) were compared with respect to demographic, anthropometric and biochemical parameters including serum AM levels. RESULTS: In the correlation analysis, a significant positive correlation was detected between serum indirect bilirubin and AM levels in 87 newborns (p < 0.001, r = 0.945). In demographic, anthropometric and biochemical comparison of the two study groups, serum indirect bilirubin levels were 21.53 ± 3.59 and 9.37 ± 4.87 mg/dl in Groups I and II, respectively (p < 0.001), and serum AM levels were 1.45 ± 0.06 and 1.28 ± 0.07 ng/ml in Groups I and II, respectively (p < 0.001) CONCLUSION: AM probably plays a significant role in adverse effects and neuronal injury steps of significant hyperbilirubinemia. In parallel with the results of this study the role, effects and physiopathological basis of AM in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia should be established especially with further animal studies. Results of this study may be used in establishing reference values for AM as there are very limited number of studies in newborns.

Efectos protectores del aceite de Nigella sativa en la lesión pulmonar inducida por hiperoxia / Protective Effects of Nigella sativa Oil in Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury

Antecedentes: Se cree que la lesión pulmonar inducida por el oxígeno conduce al desarrollo de una displasia broncopulmonar en los recién nacidos prematuros. Hemos evaluado los efectos favorables del aceite de Nigella sativa (NSO) en ratas con lesión pulmonar inducida por hiperoxia. Métodos: Se utilizaron 30 ratas Sprague-Dawley recién nacidas a las que se dividió aleatoriamente en 3 grupos para aplicarles hiperoxia (O2 al 95%), hiperoxia+NSO o el grupo de control (O2 al 21%). A las crías del grupo de hiperoxia+NSO se les administró NSO a una dosis de 4ml/kg al día por vía intraperitoneal durante el periodo de estudio. Se realizó una evaluación histopatológica, inmunoquímica y bioquímica (superóxido dismutasa [SOD], glutatión peroxidasa [GSH-Px], malonilaldehído [MDA] y mieloperoxidasa [MPO]). Resultados: En la evaluación histopatológica e inmunoquímica, la gravedad de la lesión pulmonar fue significativamente inferior en el grupo de hiperoxia+NOS (p<0,05). Los niveles tisulares de GSH-Px y SOD se mantuvieron significativamente preservados, y los niveles de MDA y MPO fueron significativamente inferiores en el grupo de hiperoxia+NSO (p<0,05). Conclusión: El NSO redujo significativamente la gravedad de la lesión pulmonar debida a la hiperoxia(AU)

Background: Oxygen-induced lung injury is believed to lead to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. We have evaluated the beneficial effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury. Methods: Thirty newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups as hyperoxia (95% O2), hyperoxia+NSO and control (21% O2). Pups in the hyperoxia+NSO group were administered intraperitoneal NSO at a dose of 4ml/kg daily during the study period. Histopathologic, immunochemical, and biochemical evaluations (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], malonaldehyde [MDA] and myeloperoxidase [MPO]) were performed. Results: In the histopathologic and immunochemical evaluation, severity of lung damage was significantly lower in the hyperoxia+NOS group (P<0.05). Tissue GSH-Px and SOD levels were significantly preserved, and MDA, MPO levels were significantly lower in the hyperoxia+NSO group (P<0.05). Conclusion: NSO significantly reduced the severity of lung damage due to hyperoxia(AU)

Protective Effects of Nigella sativa Oil in Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury.

BACKGROUND: Oxygen-induced lung injury is believed to lead to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. We have evaluated the beneficial effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury. METHODS: Thirty newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups as hyperoxia (95% O(2)), hyperoxia+NSO and control (21% O(2)). Pups in the hyperoxia+NSO group were administered intraperitoneal NSO at a dose of 4ml/kg daily during the study period. Histopathologic, immunochemical, and biochemical evaluations (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], malonaldehyde [MDA] and myeloperoxidase [MPO]) were performed. RESULTS: In the histopathologic and immunochemical evaluation, severity of lung damage was significantly lower in the hyperoxia+NOS group (P<.05). Tissue GSH-Px and SOD levels were significantly preserved, and MDA, MPO levels were significantly lower in the hyperoxia+NSO group (P<.05). CONCLUSION: NSO significantly reduced the severity of lung damage due to hyperoxia.

CDP-choline reduces severity of intestinal injury in a neonatal rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) is an endogenous intermediate in the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a contributor to the mucosal defense of the intestine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible cytoprotective effect of CDP-choline treatment on intestinal cell damage, membrane phospholipid content, inflammation, and apoptosis in a neonatal rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). METHODS: We divided a total of 30 newborn pups into three groups: control, NEC, and NEC + CDP-choline. We induced NEC by enteral formula feeding, exposure to hypoxia-hyperoxia, and cold stress. We administered CDP-choline intraperitoneally at 300 mg/kg/d for 3 d starting from the first day of life. We evaluated apoptosis macroscopically and histopathologically in combination with proinflammatory cytokines in the gut samples. Moreover, we determined membrane phospholipid levels as well as activities of xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and myeloperoxidase enzymes and the malondialdehyde content of intestinal tissue. RESULTS: Mean clinical sickness score, macroscopic gut assessment score, and intestinal injury score were significantly improved, whereas mean apoptosis score and caspase-3 levels were significantly reduced in pups in the NEC + CDP-choline group compared with the NEC group. Tissue proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) levels as well as tissue malondialdehyde content and myeloperoxidase activities were reduced, whereas glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were preserved in the NEC + CDP-choline group. In addition, NEC damage reduced intestinal tissue membrane phospholipids, whereas CDP-choline significantly enhanced total phospholipid and phosphatidylcholine levels. Long-term follow-up in additional experiments revealed increased body weight, decreased clinical sickness scores, and enhanced survival in CDP-choline-receiving versus saline-receiving pups with NEC lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reports, for the first time, beneficial effects of CDP-choline treatment on intestinal injury in a neonatal rat model of NEC. Our data suggest that CDP-choline may be used as an effective therapeutic agent to prevent NEC.

Beneficial effects of Nigella sativa oil on intestinal damage in necrotizing enterocolitis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the beneficial effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on rats with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups as NEC, NEC + NSO, and control. NEC was induced by enteral formula feeding, exposure to hypoxia-hyperoxia and cold stress. Pups in the NEC + NSO group were administered NOS at a dose of 2 ml/kg daily by intraperitoneal route from the first day until the end of the study. Proximal colon and ileum were excised for histopathologic, apoptosis (TUNEL) and biochemical evaluation, including xanthine oxidase (XO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malonaldehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxdase (MPO) activities. RESULTS: Pups in the NEC + NOS group had better clinical sickness scores and weight gain compared to the NEC group (p < 0.05). In the macroscopic assessment, histopathologic and apoptosis evaluation (TUNEL), severity of bowel damage was significantly lower in the NEC + NOS group compared to the NEC group (p < 0.05). Tissue GSH-Px and SOD levels were significantly preserved in the NEC + NSO group (p < 0.05), whereas, tissue MDA, MPO levels of the NEC + NSO group were significantly lower than those in the NEC group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NSO significantly reduced the severity of intestinal damage in NEC.

Self-application of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with gynecologic cancer.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we aimed to determine the epidemiology and demographic data on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use along with the medical/surgical treatment modalities in patients with gynecologic cancers in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed to determine demographic data on CAM use of patients with gynecologic cancers who had medical and/or surgical treatments. Semistructured questionnaires were used for collecting data from 126 patients. RESULTS: When the CAM use ratio of patients was evaluated with respect to demographic characteristics, patients using any type of CAM were younger and more educated, and there were no significant differences between the patients who used and who did not use any type of CAM with respect to geographical region. There were no significant correlations between the use of CAM and the type of malignancy, treatment modality and time period after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: There is critical concern about the probable serious risks associated with non-educated CAM practitioners. Therefore, informed and educated healthcare professionals should inform and help in relieving patients in a more professional and multidisciplinary way.

Incidence, course, and prediction of hyperbilirubinemia in near-term and term newborns.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated prospectively the incidence of significant hyperbilirubinemia and demographic and laboratory characteristics and pattern of serum bilirubin levels of near-term newborns (35-37 weeks' [245-265 days'] gestation) by comparing them with those of term newborns (38-42 weeks' [266-294 days'] gestation) longitudinally in the first 7 days of life; we also aimed to determine the value of an early (6th-hour) serum bilirubin measurement in predicting the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia later during the first week of life in near-term newborns. METHODS: Serum total bilirubin measurements were initially made at the 6th hour of life and repeated daily for the next 4 days, and a last measurement was performed on the 7th day (150th hour) in 219 term newborns (term group) and 146 near-term newborns (near-term group). Newborns with serum total bilirubin levels of > or =8 and > or =12 mg/dL on day 2, > or =12 and > or 15 mg/dL on day 3, and > or =14 and > or =17 mg/dL on days 4, 5, and 7 for birth weights 2000 to 2500 g and >2500 g, respectively, were defined to have significant hyperbilirubinemia, and phototherapy treatment was started. The predictive ability of the 6th-hour serum total bilirubin value in determining the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia in the near-term group was assessed on the basis of the placement of any of the first week's serum bilirubin measurements in the > or =95th percentile of the study population. A Gaussian distribution curve, the 5th, 30th, 60th, and 95th percentiles, and 4 percentile tracks were obtained from mean serum total bilirubin values. On the basis of the percentile tracks with various sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values, a nomogram demonstrating the 4 percentile tracks as risk-zone demarcators with divided risk zones was produced. RESULTS: Twenty-three newborns (10.5%) in the term group and 37 newborns (25.3%) in the near-term group had significant hyperbilirubinemia and required phototherapy. When the daily mean serum bilirubin levels of the 2 groups were compared, the first 4 days' values did not significantly differ between the 2 groups, whereas the 5th and 7th days' values were significantly higher in the near-term group. There were significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to the incidence of significant hyperbilirubinemia, hematocrit, Apgar score, and mode of delivery. On the age-specific nomogram, the zone >95th percentile was labeled as high risk, and that <5th percentile was labeled as low risk. Serum total bilirubin values between the 5th and 30th, 30th and 60th, and 60th and 95th percentiles were designated as being in the low-intermediate, intermediate, and high-intermediate risk zones, respectively. The 5th and 95th percentiles on the nomogram had the highest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98.2%), respectively, in predicting the subsequent development of significant hyperbilirubinemia. CONCLUSIONS: Near-term newborns should not be treated as term newborns in the approach to management of hyperbilirubinemia, because infants of 35 to 37 weeks' gestation had significantly lower birth weights, significantly higher serum total bilirubin levels on days 5 and 7, and were 2.4 times more likely to develop significant hyperbilirubinemia than those of 38 to 42 weeks' gestation in the present study. In near-term newborns of 35 to 37 weeks' (245 to 265 days') gestation, the decision to diagnose and treat significant hyperbilirubinemia should be made on the basis of risk status (percentile distribution of the serum bilirubin values on postnatal age) rather than using birth-weight-based thresholds. A nomogram constructed from daily serum bilirubin values of each population, as we present herein, can be used in assessing the age (hour)-specific jaundice risk (high, intermediate, or low) of each near-term newborn.

Evaluation of bone mineral density in children with cerebral palsy.

In the present study, bone mineral density of 40 children with cerebral palsy (study group) and the effects of various risk factors on bone mineralization in these children were investigated by comparing with 40 age-matched healthy children (control group). Weight, height, skinfold thickness, body-mass index measurements, and serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and 25 OH vitamin D were not significantly different between the study and control groups (p>0.05). The mean bone mineral density value of the study group measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method at L2-L4 levels of lumbar vertebrae was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05). When the patients in the study group were assessed with respect to ambulation status, pattern of involvement, calcium and energy intakes, and whether or not they had taken and/or were taking a regular physical therapy program, there was a significant difference only between the hemiplegic and tetraplegic patients (p<0.05), while there were no significant differences among the patients who were ambulant versus non-ambulant, who had sufficient versus insufficient calcium and energy intakes, and who did and did not take a regular physical therapy (p>0.05). Although the ambulatory status, quantity of calcium and energy intakes, and the presence or absence of a physical therapy program had no effects on bone mineral density values of the children with cerebral palsy in this study, the exact factors and mechanisms responsible for the reduced bone mineral density in children with cerebral palsy should be investigated in further large-scale studies considering the increased risk of pathological fractures in these patients.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn due to isoimmunization with anti-E antibodies: a case report.

Minor blood group hemolytic disease is extremely rare, since the overall potency of minor blood groups in inducing antibodies is significantly lower when compared with that of Rh (D) antigen. We hereby report a very rare case of severe neonatal anti-E hemolytic disease due to E minor blood group incompatibility. A term newborn born to a 27-year-old, gravida 3, para 3 mother was referred due to a high and increasing serum bilirubin level despite phototherapy on the 4th day of life. On admission physical examination was normal except for the jaundice, and results of the laboratory investigation demonstrated a moderate-to-severe anemia (hemoglobin 7.8 g/dl) and a severe hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia (serum total and indirect bilirubin levels 36 mg/ dl and 32.8 mg/dl, respectively; reticulocyte count 15%; and a positive direct antiglobulin test). As there was no apparent cause of the hemolytic disease such as Rh or ABO incompatibilities, further investigation (a positive indirect antiglobulin test and a positive irregular anti-E antibody in both the patient and mother, and minor blood group antigen profiles in family members compatible with E minor blood group isoimmunization) revealed the presence of anti-E hemolytic disease due to E minor blood group incompatibility. Two exchange transfusions with a 12-hour-interval were performed with minor blood group compatible fresh whole blood, and the patient was discharged in a healthy condition on the 10th postnatal day. If the most common causes of severe neonatal hemolytic disease such as Rh and ABO incompatibilities cannot be demonstrated in a newborn with significant hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia, anti-E hemolytic disease should strongly be considered in differential diagnosis. It should be kept in mind that a very severe from of minor group antibody hemolytic disease characterized by anemia and severe hyperbilirubinemia many exchange transfusions may be encountered during the course of the disease.

Selenium and zinc levels in volatile substance abusers.

Plasma and erythrocyte levels of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) have not been investigated in volatile (inhalant) substance abusers previously, although changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes resulting from oxidative damage caused by various constituents of volatile substances have been shown in a few animal and human studies. Concentrations of these two elements in erythrocytes and plasma of 37 adolescents with inhalant abuse were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and compared with those of 37 age-matched healthy controls. Erythrocyte and plasma levels of Se and plasma level of Zn were significantly lower in the study group when compared to the control group. Chronic inhalation of volatile substances can decrease the plasma levels of Se and Zn and, thus, may lead to a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzyme systems in adolescent abusers. The role of Se and Zn supplementation in children with inhalant abuse remains to be determined considering the reduced antioxidant activity resulting from deficiency of these trace elements.

An early (sixth-hour) serum bilirubin measurement is useful in predicting the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia and severe ABO hemolytic disease in a selective high-risk population of newborns with ABO incompatibility.

OBJECTIVE: In the era of early discharge of newborns from the hospital, newborns with ABO incompatibility are at especially greater risk for developing a subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia because some of these infants also may present with some degree of ABO isoimmune disease. In this study, we aimed to determine prospectively the critical serum total bilirubin level to predict significant hyperbilirubinemia and severe hemolytic disease in healthy term newborns with ABO incompatibility based on a serum bilirubin measurement made at a postnatal age at which all newborns are at the hospital before discharge and at which any therapeutic intervention, if necessary, could be started as early as possible. METHODS: A total of 136 healthy term newborns with ABO (O-A or O-B) blood group incompatibility were followed prospectively with daily serum total bilirubin measurements for the first 5 days of life. Newborns with serum total bilirubin levels of > or =5 mg/dL and an increase in serum total bilirubin concentration of >0.5 mg/dL/h in the first 24 hours, > or =12 mg/dL on day 2, > or =15 mg/dL on day 3, and > or =17 mg/dL on days 4 and 5 were defined to have significant hyperbilirubinemia and were started on phototherapy treatment. Additional treatment modalities, including intense phototherapy, intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, and exchange transfusion, were used when serum bilirubin concentrations exceeded 20 mg/dL or increased by >1 mg/dL/h despite a phototherapy treatment of at least 4 hours. The additional assessment of the predictive ability of the sixth-hour serum total bilirubin value in determining the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia was made on the basis of the placement of any of the first 5 days' serum bilirubin measurements in the > or =90th percentile of the study population. On the basis of the percentile tracks constructed from the 10th, 35th, 50th, 60th, and 90th percentiles of serum total bilirubin values, a nomogram demonstrating the 3 percentile tracks as risk zone demarcators with divided risk zones was produced. RESULTS: Twenty-nine newborns (21.3%) had significant hyperbilirubinemia. There were significant differences between the newborns who did and the newborns who did not develop significant hyperbilirubinemia with respect to the reticulocyte count (4.39 +/- 3.46% vs 2.95 +/- 1.63) and the presence of a direct antiglobulin test positivity (6 of 23 vs 0 of 107) and a sibling with neonatal jaundice (6 of 23 vs 5 of 102). A mean serum bilirubin level of > or =4 mg/dL at the sixth hour of life was determined to have the highest sensitivity (86.2%) and negative predictive value (94.5%) and a positive predictive value of 39.7% to predict the newborns who would develop significant hyperbilirubinemia. At the mean serum bilirubin level of 6 mg/dL, the sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values were 100%, 91.5%, 100%, and 35.3%, respectively, in diagnosing 6 cases of severe ABO hemolytic disease. On the hour (age)-specific percentile-based nomogram, the zone above the 90th percentile was determined as high risk and that below the 35th percentile as low risk. CONCLUSIONS: The reticulocyte count, a positive direct antiglobulin test, and the presence of a sibling with neonatal jaundice were determined to be the good predictors for the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia and severe hemolytic disease of the newborn. A serum bilirubin measurement and the use of the critical bilirubin levels of 4 mg/dL and 6 mg/dL at the sixth hour of life will predict nearly all newborns who will have significant hyperbilirubinemia and those who will develop severe hemolytic disease of the newborn, respectively. An hour (age)-specific percentile-based nomogram can be used to predict which newborn is at high risk (> or =90th percentile), intermediate risk (35th-90th percentiles), and low risk (<35th percentile) for developing significant hyperbilirubinemia. The 35th and 90th percentile tracks, approximating the serum bilirubin levels of 3.3 mg/dL and 6.5 mg/dL at the sixth hour of life, respectively, can be used as safe risk demarcators in deciding about the time of discharge of ABO-incompatible newborns from the hospital.