UMBILICAL CORD SERUM ALBUMIN AS A PREDICTOR OF SIGNIFICANT NEONATAL HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA IN LATE PRETERM AND TERM NEONATES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common clinical conditions during the first week of life, affecting nearly 60% of term and 80% of preterm neonates. Late preterm neonates are at greater risk because of hepatic immaturity and reduced bilirubin-binding capacity. Early identification of newborns at risk allows timely monitoring and intervention. Umbilical cord serum albumin, a simple and inexpensive test available at birth, may serve as an early predictor of significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.