'Safe' hyperbilirubinemia is associated with altered Neonatal Behavior

• Published in: Biology of the neonate Vol. 83; no. 1; pp. 19 - 21
• Main Authors: MANSI, G, DE MAIO, C, ARAIMO, G, ROTTA, I, CRIVARO, V, SARNO, M, RAIMONDI, F, PALUDETTO, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel Karger 2003; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Acoustic Stimulation; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Emergency and intensive care: neonates and children. Prematurity. Sudden death; Female; Humans; Hyperbilirubinemia - blood; Hyperbilirubinemia - psychology; Infant Behavior; Infant, Newborn; Intensive care medicine; Male; Medical sciences; Orientation; Photic Stimulation; Human; Jaundice; Newborn diseases; Hyperbilirubinemia; Newborn; Complication; Psychometrics; Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale Brazelton; Boundary value; Bilirubin; Behavior, neonatal; Behavioral disorder
• ISSN: 0006-3126; 1661-7800; 1421-9727; 1661-7819
• DOI: 10.1159/000067013

Treatment of neonatal jaundice is currently recommended for higher bilirubinemia levels than before. Using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale, we found that a series of 28 healthy, untreated, term neonates with moderate bilirubinemia scored significantly less than an equal number of appropriately matched controls with low bilirubinemia for visual and auditory items, both inanimate and animate. Also, a greater lability of state, a lower self-quieting ability and more frequent tremors were found in the jaundiced group. We conclude that hyperbilirubinemia per se, even in the concentration range where phototherapy is not currently recommended, can give rise to alterations in neonatal behavior.