Frontiers in Genetics (Jan 2024)

Clinical and genetic risk factors associated with neonatal severe hyperbilirubinemia: a case–control study based on the China Neonatal Genomes Project

  • Xiao Wang,
  • Tiantian Xiao,
  • Jin Wang,
  • Bingbing Wu,
  • Huijun Wang,
  • Yulan Lu,
  • Yaqiong Wang,
  • Bin Chen,
  • Liyuan Hu,
  • Yun Cao,
  • Rong Zhang,
  • Guoqiang Cheng,
  • Laishuan Wang,
  • Zhihua Li,
  • Xinran Dong,
  • Lin Yang,
  • Lin Yang,
  • Wenhao Zhou,
  • Wenhao Zhou,
  • Wenhao Zhou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1292921
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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Objective: We aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic risk factors associated with neonatal severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.Methods: This was a retrospective, 1:1 matched, case–control study. We included 614 neonates diagnosed with severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (serum total bilirubin level ≥425 μmol/L or serum total bilirubin concentration that met exchange transfusion criteria) from the China Neonatal Genomes Project in Children’s Hospital of Fudan University. Clinical exome sequencing data were analyzed using a data analysis pipeline of Children’s Hospital of Fudan University. The factors associated with severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Interaction analyses were examined between clinical and genetic risk factors.Results: ABO/Rh incompatibility hemolysis (odds ratio [OR] 3.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.32–4.86), extravascular hemorrhage (OR 2.95, 95% CI 2.24–3.89), weight loss (OR 5.46, 95% CI 2.88–10.36), exclusive breastmilk feeding (OR 3.56, 95% CI 2.71–4.68), and the homozygous mutant of UGT1A1 211G>A (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.54–3.59) were all identified as factors significantly associated with severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The presence of UGT1A1 211G>A mildly increased the risk of severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia caused by ABO/Rh incompatibility hemolysis (OR 3.98, 95% CI 2.19–7.23), although the effect is not statistically significant.Conclusion: ABO/Rh incompatibility hemolysis, extravascular hemorrhage, weight loss, exclusive breastmilk feeding, and the homozygous mutant of UGT1A1 211G>A were found to be risk factors for severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Clinical factors remain the most crucial and preventable determinants in managing severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, with a minimal genetic contribution. The establishment of preconception care practices and the reinforcement of screening for the aforementioned risk factors are essential steps for preventing severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

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