Can we use umbilical cord hydrogen peroxide as an early predictor for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract Introduction: Most neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is benign, but because of the potential toxicity of bilirubin, neonates should be monitored to identity those who might develop severe hyperbilirubinemia. Objective: To determine if the cord blood hydrogen peroxide level can be used as an early predictor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia or not and if there is a correlation between its levels and the severity of hyperbilirubinemia. Methods: This is a prospective comparative study included 59 full term neonates. Forty-one neonates developed jaundice (group I) and 18 neonates did not develop jaundice (group II) as controls. For all studied groups, we measured the cord blood bilirubin using modified diazo method and hydrogen peroxide levels using ELISA Kits and we measured their levels at 5th and 7th days of life for patients. Results: The cord blood H2O2 levels as well as the bilirubin levels were higher in patients than controls. Significant positive correlations between cord blood H2O2 and cord blood bilirubin levels were present (r=0.81& p 35 (p-value 0.001). Conclusion: Cord blood hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels can be used as an early predictor of neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia and can determine which neonates should be followed after discharge from the hospital.