Affiliation:
1. Department of Newborn Care Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney New South Wales Australia
2. Faculty of Medicine and Health The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
3. The Grace Centre for Newborn Care The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospital Network Sydney New South Wales Australia
Abstract
AimThis study aimed to establish the incidence and nature of neurodevelopmental outcomes following extreme neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in an Australian cohort.MethodsA prospective cohort study of neurodevelopmental outcomes up to 3 years of age of infants born between 2010 and 2013 at ≥34 weeks gestation, with total serum bilirubin ≥450 μmol/L and/or clinical signs of acute bilirubin encephalopathy. Outcome measures comprised neurological examination, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition and Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 3rd edition.ResultsThe Australian estimated incidence of kernicterus is 0.35 per 100 000 live births. Within the follow‐up cohort of 26, three children have clinical neurodevelopmental impairment: one has gross motor function classification system level 4 cerebral palsy, audiological deficiency and visual impairment; the second has gross motor function classification system level 1 cerebral palsy and the third has global developmental delay with autism spectrum disorder. Mean Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition scores were: cognition 10.3 (SD 1.5), receptive communication 9.4 (SD 1.8), expressive communication 9.2 (SD 2.4), fine motor 10.4 (SD 2.6) and gross motor 9.2 (SD 2.3).ConclusionThe Australian national rate of kernicterus compares favourably with global estimates. Future preventative strategies in this context include universal neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia assessment and mandated adverse outcome reporting and investigation.
Funder
Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation
Subject
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health