RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To describe early neurodevelopment outcomes of neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia without acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE). METHODS: Neonates born at gestation ≥35 weeks, admitted to NICU with total serum bilirubin (TSB) in exchange range with no features of ABE, were followed up until the age of 6 months. Infants were assessed for impaired hearing and neurodevelopment at 3 months and 6 months of age. RESULTS: A total of 59 neonates were enrolled in the study. At 3 months of age, 7.6 percent of neonates were found to have hypotonia and motor delay, whereas 42.3 percent had abnormal brainstem evoked response audiometery. At 6 months, 6.4 percent of neonates were found to have persistent neurodevelopmental impairment. CONCLUSION: Severe hyperbilirubinemia is associated with impaired neurodevelopment and hearing even in infants without ABE. Peak TSB level strongly correlates with abnormal outcomes.
