Incidence and risk factors of post-phototherapy neonatal rebound hyperbilirubinemia

To determine the incidence and risk factors of post-phototherapy rebound hyperbilirubinemia because data about bilirubin rebound in neonates are lacking and few studies have concerned this condition. A prospective observational study was conducted on 500 neonates with indirect hyperbilirubinemia who were treated according to standard guidelines. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) was measured at 24–36 h after phototherapy; significant bilirubin rebound (SBR) is considered as increasing TSB that needs reinstitution of phototherapy. A total of 124 (24.9%) neonates developed SBR with TSB increased by 3.4 (2.4–11.2) mg/dL after stopping phototherapy. Multiple logistic regression model revealed the following significant risk factors for rebound: low birth weight (B = 1.3, P