The Utility of Inpatient Rebound Bilirubin Levels in Infants Readmitted After Birth Hospitalization for Hyperbilimbinemia

摘要

BACKGROUND AMD OBJECTIVES: There are few data evaluating the role of inpatient rebound bilirubin levels in the management of infants readmitted after their birth hospitalization for indirect hyperbilimbinemia. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the clinical utility of inpatient rebound bilirubin levels within this patient population.METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 226 infants readmitted after their birth hospitalization for indirect hyperbilimbinemia. Data from 130 infants with rebound bilirubin levels drawn at a mean of 6.1 ± 2.4 hours after discontinuation of phototherapy were compared with data from 96 infants without rebound bilirubin levels. The primary outcome was readmission to the hospital, and secondary outcomes included length of stay and discharge time. A subgroup analysis compared characteristics of children who required repeat phototherapy versus those who did not.