Neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year in Zimbabwean neonates with extreme hyperbilirubinaemia

The study concentrates on estimating the magnitude of the effect of a singl e risk factor, maximum total serum bilirubin (TSB) in excess of 400 mu mol/ l (23.4 mg/dl), on the neurodevelopmental outcome of 50, singleton, Zimbabw ean neonates at 1 year of age. At 1 year corrected age the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) was administered. Two infants died and five were lost to follow up. TSB was neither associated with birth weight nor with g estational age. Of 43 infants with a TSB > 400 mu mol/l (23.4 mg/dl), 11 (2 6%) scored abnormal on the BSID at 1 year of age and 5 (12%) infants develo ped the choreo-athetoid type of cerebral palsy. Conclusion Infants with bilirubin levels between 400 and 500 mu mol/l (23.4 and 29.2 mg/dl) who scored abnormal or suspect on the Bayley Scales of Inf ant Development were preterm or had haemolytic disease. All term infants wi thout haemolysis and with bilirubin levels between 400 and 500 mu mol/l (23 .4 mg/dl-29.2 mg/dl) were normal at 1 year of age.