The Possible Protective Role of Bilirubin on Oxidative Stress Related Morbidity in Preterm Infants.

To evaluate the effect of bilirubin levels in the first week of life on the frequency of oxidative-stress related morbidity. We included all preterm infants with a gestational age less than 32 weeks. The mean total serum bilirubin of the first week of life was measured and compared between infants with and without oxidative stress related morbidity. A total of 116 preterm infants were included. Univariate analysis showed that mean ± SD TSB levels were statistically significantly lower in infants with chronic lung disease (95 ± 31.4micromole/l vs 119 ± 31micromole/l, p = 0.019), necrotizing enterocolitis (94.4 ± 29micromole/l vs 118 ± 31micromole/l p = 0.044) and patent ductus arteriosus (104 ± 33micromole/l vs 120 ± 30micromole/l p = 0.018). However, when adjusted for gestational age, there were no longer statistically significant differences observed. Elevated bilirubin levels in the first week of life are not protective against the oxidative stress related morbidity in very preterm infants.