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  • Original Article
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Clinical and genetic risk factors for moderate hyperbilirubinemia in Brazilian newborn infants

Abstract

Objective:

To identify clinical and genetic risk factors for moderate hyperbilirubinemia during the first week of life.

Study Design:

Using univariate and multivariate multiple regression analyses, the RR for clinical factors, the African variant of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (G202A/A376G), and (TA)n UGT1A1 polymorphisms were established in a cohort of 608 Brazilian newborn infants. Hyperbilirubinemia was monitored until 134.5±49.8 h of life (IQR, 111.0 to 156.7). The dependent variable was total bilirubinemia (TB)12.9 mg per 100 ml estimated by transcutaneous or plasma bilirubin measurements.

Result:

The African variant of G6PD deficiency and (TA)7/(TA)7 and (TA)7/(TA)8 polymorphisms present in 6.1 and 12.0% of newborns, respectively, were not risk factors for moderate hyperbilirubinemia. Coexpression of G6DP deficiency and UGT1A1 polymorphisms occurred in 0.49% of the subjects. Independent clinical predictors for TB12.9 mg per 100 ml were gestational age <38 weeks and reference curve percentiles >P40th.

Conclusion:

In this study, G6PD deficiency and UGT1A1 gene promoter polymorphisms were not risk factors for moderate hyperbilirubinemia. Genetic factors may vary considerably in importance among different populations.

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Acknowledgements

The study was funded by the Research Support Foundation of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP), grant number 2006/60917-1. We thank Mrs Cleide Moreira Silva from the Research Division (FCM/UNICAMP) for offering assistance in statistical analysis.

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Correspondence to M A Mezzacappa.

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Mezzacappa, M., Facchini, F., Pinto, A. et al. Clinical and genetic risk factors for moderate hyperbilirubinemia in Brazilian newborn infants. J Perinatol 30, 819–826 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.48

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