The variation in the reduced glutathione levels of red blood cells between full-
term Libyan newborns with hyperbilirubinemia
Background: Hyperbilirubinemia refers to the yellow coloration of the skin and the sclera of newborn babies that result from the accumulation of bilirubin in the skin and mucous membranes. Newborns with jaundice need to be monitored because bilirubin is potentially toxic to the central nervous system. Aim of the study: To determine the relation of erythrocytic glutathione with hyperbilirubinemia in newborns. Methods: We studied 45 Libyan full-term newborns (23 male and 22 female) with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia aged from day one to day four born in Al- Jomhoriya hospital in Benghazi. We excluded each case with pathological jaundice that needs treatment by phototherapy or blood exchange. All investigations concerning this research carried out on each newborn every 24 hours in a period of four days as follow: day 1 up to day 4, day 2 up to day 5, day 3 up to day 6, day 4 up to day 7. We analyzed the total serum bilirubin (TSB) and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) in red blood cells directly on fresh blood. Conclusion: Our results show no significant variations in the mean level of erythrocytic glutathione in the jaundiced full-term newborns compared to the control group in the first week of life.