Novel treatment strategy for Japanese newborns with high serum unbound bilirubin.

Background: Serum unbound bilirubin (UB) is a measure of bilirubin not bound to albumin, and has been reported to be better than total bilirubin level at identifying infants at risk of developing bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity, including auditory abnormalities. A detailed treatment strategy for newborns with high serum UB has not been established. The aim of this study was to assess auditory outcomes in newborns with serum UB ≥1.00 μg/dL who were treated according to a novel treatment protocol.

Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted in newborns weighing >1500 g with serum UB ≥1.00 μg/dL who were admitted to Kobe University Hospital and Kakogawa Municipal Hospital, Japan from 2006 to 2011. Enrolled newborns were treated as follows: (i) if serum UB was 1.00-1.50 μg/dL, phototherapy and infusion were given with or without albumin or immunoglobulin therapy; and (ii) if serum UB was >1.50 μg/dL, exchange transfusion was performed immediately. Auditory brainstem responses were evaluated at the time of discharge.

Results: A total of 89 Japanese newborns with UB ≥1.00 μg/dL were enrolled at a median age of 4 days. Of these, 85 had UB 1.00-1.50 μg/dL and four had UB >1.50 μg/dL. After being treated according to the protocol, no newborns were diagnosed with auditory brainstem response abnormalities.

Conclusions: The present treatment protocol for Japanese newborns with serum UB ≥1.00 μg/dL may be useful for the prevention of bilirubin-induced auditory abnormalities.