Evaluation of cardiac function in neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract

Background: Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (UHB) is an important problem encountered during the neonatal period. It may lead to severe cardiac autonomic dysfunction like heart rate variability and myocardial damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac function in neonates with UHB by echocardiography. 

Methods: This single-center, prospective, case-control study was conducted on 100 full-term neonates with severe UHB requiring phototherapy and 100 healthy infants as controls. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and serum cardiac troponin measurements. 

Results: There was an increase in heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure in cases compared to controls, although the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the left ventricular systolic and diastolic function on echocardiography and TDI. Cardiac troponin level was normal in all the cases. 

Conclusion: This study shows that UHB did not affect the cardiac functions of the left ventricle.