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[Longitudinal studies of developmental status in term-born infants with hyperbilirubinemia]
Insights
Infants with hyperbilirubinemia showed lower developmental quotients (DQ) at 2 months, particularly in social behavior and adaptability. This suggests a potential long-term impact on infant mental development requiring monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Developmental Psychology
Context:
- Hyperbilirubinemia is common in newborns.
- Assessing long-term developmental effects is crucial.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the developmental status of term infants with hyperbilirubinemia.
- To identify potential impacts on mental and psychomotor development.
Summary:
- Thirty-six term infants with hyperbilirubinemia were assessed using a mental and psychomotor scale from 2 to 12 months.
- Infants with hyperbilirubinemia exhibited lower development quotients (DQ) compared to controls, with significant reductions at 2 months, especially in social behavior and adaptability.
- No correlation was found between DQ and peak bilirubin levels or duration of hyperbilirubinemia.
Impact:
- Hyperbilirubinemia may have lasting effects on infant mental development.
- Continuous monitoring of all infants with hyperbilirubinemia, including full-term infants without severe complications, is recommended.
Abstract:
Thirty-six infants born at term who developed hyperbilirubinemia were assessed for developmental status at 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months of age according to a mental and psychomotor scale for 0-4 year old. The development quotient (DQ) of infants with hyperbilirubinemia were lower than controls, and the reduction was significant at 2 months of age (P = 0.03). When single component of DQ was compared, it was shown that the DQ score for social behavior was significantly lower in patients at 2 months of age than in control (P = 0.007), and except for motor, other four single DQ scores were lower in patients than in control and the reduction was significant in the DQ scores for adaptability and social behavior (P = 0.05, 0.032, respectively). Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between DQ and serum peak bilirubin value or duration of hyperbilirubinemia. The results indicate that hyperbilirubinemia may have a long term impact on mental development of infants. It is necessary to monitor all infants with hyperbilirubinemia, including full term infants with no severe complication.