No abstract

The incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (>15 mg/dl); NNF India national neonatal perinatal database network 2002-03 report was 3.3% for intramural deliveries and 22.1% for outborns. 1 In very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates, the incidence of significant jaundice (requiring phototherapy and or exchange transfusion) was 76.6%, with 37.3% requiring an exchange transfusion. 2 Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is the most common reason for readmission after early hospital discharge. Concerns regarding jaundice have increased after reports of bilirubin induced brain damage occurring in healthy infants even without hemolysis.