Introduction: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is most common problem seen in newborns. Out of all only 3% develop significant jaundice which requires intervention. So to reduce unnecessary prolong stay at hospital after delivery and to reduce rate of readmission a screening tool is necessary. This study is carried out to find weather cord blood bilirubin can be used as a screening tool for risk of hyperbilirubinemia. Methods and Methodology: It is a prospective clinical study that was carried out at the delivery room and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Devdaha Medical College, Bhaluhi, Nepal on all neonates who  develop hyperbilirubinemia during their first week of life. Toal 150 term healthy neonates were included in the study. Cord blood was collected and all babies were assessed daily for jaundice. Sample was sent for serum bilirubin after 72hr of life. Total serum bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin were obtained via the colorimetric Diazo method. Statistical analysis: The analysis was carried out using the (SPSS) program and p values with less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: In our study out of 150 newborn babies incidence of significant jaundice was 22%.At the cut off value of cord blood bilirubin >2mg/dl p-value was 0.001.The incidence of jaundice was 36.4% and 63.6% at cord blood bilirubin ≤2mg/dl and >2mg/dl respectively. The Positive Predictive Value was 38%. The Negative Predictive Value was 87% .At the cut off value of >2mg/dl the sensitivity was found to be 63% and the specificity was 29%.Conclusion: Cord blood bilirubin cannot be used as a screening tool for risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
Keywords: Cord blood bilirubinemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, screening tool.