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Can haptoglobin be an indicator for the early diagnosis of neonatal jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice is the result of an imbalance between bilirubin production and elimination. Bilirubin conjugation in newborns is significantly impaired in the first few days; even a small increase in the rate of production can contribute to the development of hyperbilirubinemia. Hemolysis has a significant role in bilirubin increase in newborns. Intrauterine is tolerated by the maternal metabolism in life. When hemolysis takes place, a decrease is accepted in the haptoglobin and hemopoexin blood levels binding hemoglobin in the environment. Therefore, it may be considered that haptoglobin and hemopoexin from the early period umbilical cord (UC) blood in newborns may be an indicator in determining jaundice likely to develop in later stages. Babies were called to the control polyclinic in the third and fifthdays. Eighty‐four babies with normal termbirth were included in the study. Gestational age of the mothers was 39.5±1.5 weeks in average. A significant negative correlation was found between the haptoglobin level from the UC taken during delivery and the bilirubin value in the fifth day (r=−0.345; P=0.001). The haptoglobin value from the blood of the UC can be used as a guiding indicator to demonstrate the future occurrence of jaundice in newborns. This way, the babies with high jaundice risk may be detected earlier and closer follow‐up of these babies can be obtained. As a result, the haptoglobin level of the blood from the UC during delivery allows us to make an early prediction on whether neonatal jaundice will occur. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:409–414, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.