Abstract

Chukwurah Ejike Felix, Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi* and Ibe Ngozi Martha

ABSTRACT

The effect of jaundice on haematological parameters were carried on thirty full term neonates (15 males and 15 females) who presented with clinical jaundice and 10 control group (without jaundice). The parameters assayed include bilirubin (total, conjugated and unconjugated), ABO and Rhesus blood grouping, glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) prothrombin time (PT) platelet and Reticulocyte count. Mothers’ samples were also collected for the blood grouping. Pre-term babies and babies with other disease conditions apart from jaundice were excluded. Total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin levels of 214.49±163umol/l, 40.88±44umol/l and 173.61 ±111.6umol/l respectively were recorded. Mean levels of 18.9±6.6umol/l, 8.8umol/l and 10.1 ±44umol/l total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin levels were recorded also in control population. The bilirubin levels were quite high in all the patients when compared with the mean normal control subjects (P<0.01). Eleven patients were G-6-PD deficient with mean bilirubin levels of 307±150umol/l and 249±127umol/l for total and unconjugated bilirubin respectively.G-6-PD patients showed higher mean bilirubin level when compared with non G-6-PD subjects. Total and unconjugated bilirubin of non G-6-PD subjects were as fellows 163+53umol/l and 130±75umol/l respectively (p<0.05). The ABO and Rh blood grouping of both mother and babies were done and compared. Thirteen patients were ABO incompatible with their mothers. The mean bilirubin levels in ABO incompatible jaundiced patients were 174.9umol/l and 139.4umol/l for total and unconjugated bilirubin respectively. Only two patients were Rh incompatible. Mean prothrombin time of 21.8±12.6 seconds was recorded also and compared with control 14.4+0.5 seconds. There was significant difference between mean (PT) when compared with control (P<0.05). Prothrombin time of G-6-PD and ABO incompatible patients did not differ with other patients Mean platelet level and reticulocytes of 139x109±.9/l, 1.27± 0.56% respectively were recorded. There were significant variation in both platelet and reticulocyte count when compared with control 196x109±28/l and 2±0.3% respectively (P<0.05).