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Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Associations between Neonatal Serum Bilirubin and Childhood Obesity in Term Infants
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
Insights
Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, a common condition in newborns, may inversely correlate with childhood obesity. Higher bilirubin levels in infants were associated with a reduced risk of obesity at age seven.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Obesity
- Bilirubin Metabolism
Background:
- Adult studies suggest an inverse relationship between serum bilirubin and obesity.
- Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a frequent condition in newborns, prompting investigation into its long-term effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and the risk of developing childhood obesity.
- To determine if bilirubin levels in term newborns predict obesity at age seven.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the U.S. Collaborative Perinatal Project (1959-1976).
- Employed logistic regression and Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models to analyze serum bilirubin levels and obesity at age seven.
- Stratified analysis examined the impact of different bilirubin subtypes.
Main Results:
- Newborns with total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels between 6-9 mg/dL and 9-13 mg/dL showed a statistically significant inverse association with obesity at age seven.
- The inverse correlation was primarily observed with unconjugated bilirubin exposure.
- GEE model results confirmed the consistency of findings after correcting for intracluster correlations.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal exposure to bilirubin up to 13 mg/dL is inversely associated with obesity at age seven in term infants.
- Unconjugated bilirubin appears to be the key subtype driving this protective association.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relationship and its clinical implications.
Abstract:
Inverse correlations between serum bilirubin level and obesity had been reported in adults. We aimed to investigate the associations between neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and childhood obesity. Data was obtained from the U.S. Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP), a multicenter study from 1959 to 1976. Data of serum bilirubin in term newborns were used to observe the association with obesity at age of 7 years. Logistic regression models were performed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for obesity. For children from the same mother sharing similar factors, Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model was used to correct for intracluster correlation. Relative to newborns with total serum bilirubin (TSB) < 3 mg/dl, there are lower risks for obesity in those with 3 mg/dl ≤ TSB < 6 mg/dl (aOR 0.91; 95%CI 0.81, 1.02), 6 mg/dl ≤ TSB < 9 mg/dl (aOR 0.88; 95%CI 0.78, 0.99), 9 mg/dl ≤ TSB<13 mg/dl (aOR 0.83; 95%CI 0.71, 0.98). By stratifying for subtypes of bilirubin, the inverse correlations only existed in exposure to unconjugated bilirubin. By using the GEE model correcting for intracluster correlations, the results are consistent. In summary, exposure to bilirubin up to 13 mg/dl is inversely associated with obesity at the age of 7 years in term infants.
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