All issues > Volume 50(9); 2007

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2007;50(9):848-854. Published online September 15, 2007.

Usefulness of auditory brainstem response as early predictor of kernicterus in early breast-feeding jaundice

Jae Won JW Jang¹, Gil Sang GS Lee¹, Dae Keun DK Song², Sung Hee SH Kim², Won Duck WD Kim¹, Sang Geel SG Lee¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea
²Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea

Correspondence Sang Geel SG Lee ,Email: sgleeped@korea.com

Abstract

Purpose
: The present study examined the etiology and risk factors of the early breast-feeding jaundice and the usefulness of auditory brainstem response test as early predictor of kernicterus.
Methods
: Medical records of neonatal jaundice in newborn admitted to Daegu Fatima Hospital between September 2005 and May 2006 were analyzed prospectively. Infants were grouped according to feeding method : breast feeding group (breast feeding only, n=23), mixed feeding group (breast feeding mainly plus addition of fomula feeding, n=13).
Results
: There were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, sex, duration of phototherapy, serum bilirubin and hemolytic evidence between the two study groups. First visiting day of life at out patient department was significantly delayed in breast feeding group (8.7?.6 day) compared to mixed feeding group (6.0?.9) (P=0.009). Weight loss was significantly severe in breast feeding group compared to mixed feeding group (P<0.05). In auditory brainstem response test, loss of Wave V in 3 cases was observed and recoverd after blood exchange transfusion in follow up test. Wave III latency had significant correlation to serum bilirubin in auditory brainstem response test (70 dB) (P=0.002).
Conclusion
: Our study suggest that further education about breast feeding and follow up within the first postnatal week would be necessary for early detection and prevention of early breast-feeding jaundice. Test of serum bilirubin and auditory brainstem response would be helpful in determination of blood exchange transfusion.

Keywords :Early, Breast feeding, Jaundice