Long-term Effects of Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia on Auditory and Neurological Functions in Term Newborns.

This study demonstrates that kernicterus may develop in term newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia (sTB>25 mg/dl) without any finding of significant hemolysis. Not only the bilirubin level but also the duration of exposure to high bilirubin levels may be effective in the development of bilirubin neurotoxicity. The high rate of hearing loss in our patients emphasizes the importance of screening for infants with severe hyperbilirubinemia using comprehensive auditory evaluation for early diagnosis of possible hearing loss.