Serum malondialdehyde concentration in babies with hyperbilirubinaemia

Aim-To determine lipid peroxide concentrations in the first 10 days of life . Methods-Malondialdehyde concentrations were investigated in neonates with o r without hyperbilirubinaemia during the first 10 days of life. Results-Serum malondialdehyde concentrations were higher in infants with hy perbilirubinaemia than in controls. A positive correlation was found betwee n malondialdehyde and bilirubin concentrations in the study group. When the study group was categorised according to the presence of haemolysis, a sig nificant correlation was found between malondialdehyde and bilirubin concen trations in those infants with hyperbilirubinaemia due to haemolysis. There was no such correlation in those without haemolysis. Conclusion-Exchange transfusion rapidly produces variable changes in prooxi dant and antioxidant plasma concentrations in neonates, which may be respon sible for free radical metabolism. The fall in malondialdehyde concentratio n is probably directly related to its exogenous removal by exchange transfu sion.