Background: Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common problems in newborns, and approximately 60% of term infants develop hyperbilirubinemia in the first week of life. Neonatal jaundice is caused by high levels of unconjugated bilirubin, which is neurotoxic. Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia leads to permanent brain damage. Inadequate breastfeeding causes significant weight loss which may be associated with further jaundice in the first week of life.
Objective: To explore association between bodyweight changes during the first 48 hours of life and significant neonatal
hyperbilirubinemia within the first week of life in healthy term infants.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study conducted from March 1st, 2017 to July 31st, 2017. Term infants with BW >2,500 grams were enrolled. Relationship between weight change during the first 48 hours of life and occurrence of hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy was explored.
Results: Of 269 infants, 35 (13.0%) presented with significant hyperbilirubinemia within 7 days after birth; 21 (60%) presented in the first 48 hours. Mean birthweight was 3,178.2+356.1 g; mean percentage weight loss during the first 48 hours was 5.6+2.1%. Infants with significant hyperbilirubinemia had non-statistically significant higher weight loss than those without, (6.0+1.5% and 5.5+2.2%, p = 0.21).
Conclusion: Infants with significant hyperbilirubinemia has slightly higher weight loss at 48 hours of life, although not statistically significant. Therefore, infants with excessive weight loss should be monitored for development of severe significant
hyperbilirubinemia.

Keywords: Term infant, Jaundice, Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, Weight loss, Bodyweight change