Outcomes of rescue exchange transfusion in severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Purpose: Urgent treatment in newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia is the removal of bilirubin from the body by exchange transfusion (ET) as the main treatment modality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia who underwent ET in two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Materials and Methods: The clinical data were collected of 28 newborns who had undergone rescue exchange transfusions after hospitalization with a diagnosis of severe hyperbilirubinemia in NICUs of a university hospital and a state hospital. Results: Evaluation was made of 28 newbons with a median serum bilirubin level on admission of 31.2 (20.3-36.8) mg/dL. The leading cause for exchange transfusion was hemolytic jaundice (67.8%), followed by inadequate feeding (14%). The most common cause of hyperbilirubinemia was Rh incompatibility. The reported rate of adverse events associated with exchange transfusion was 71%. The most common complications due to ET were thrombocytopenia and anemia. Four infants died after the ET therapy. Acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) was detected in 39% of the newborns. Serum bilirubin and bilirubin/albumin ratios were found to be high in newborns with ABE. Conclusion: Newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia, especially when related to hemolytic jaundice, may need rescue ET. As newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia with a high bilirubin/albumin ratio are at risk of ABE, ET should be considered in these cases