Early prediction of urinary tract infection in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common manifestation of infectious disorders during the neonatal period. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the serious bacterial infections with hyperbilirubinemia among newborn infants.

The aim of this study was to identify the early predictive risk factors of UTI in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, to prevent its long-term complications.

A total of 95 neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were evaluated in 2 groups with (n = 40) and without UTI (n = 55).

Mean age at diagnosis of UTI was 16.37 ± 8.86 days. Hyperbilirubinemia was detected in 70% of patients during the first week of life. There was a significant difference regarding the age at admission, duration of hyperbilirubinemia, serum bilirubin and creatinine, white blood cells (WBC) , and also Hgb levels between the 2 groups in univariate analysis. However, prolonged jaundice (OR = 10.3, P = 0.001) and serum bilirubin concentration (OR = 5.15, P = 0.001) were statistically associated with a positive urine culture in multivariate analysis.

Screening of UTI is recommended in neonates with prolonged unexplained jaundice, leukocytosis, and increased serum creatinine.