Impact of Bacterial Blood Infections on Inflammatory Markers and Liver Function in Neonates with Pathological Jaundice in Erbil City

NOORI, SAIF SUBHI; Al-Hetty, Hussein Riyadh Abdul Kareem; R., Alkubaisi A.; Mejbel, Elham Ahmed; AlHayani, Dhyauldeen Aftan

doi:10.21608/jbaar.2025.358419.1149

Impact of Bacterial Blood Infections on Inflammatory Markers and Liver Function in Neonates with Pathological Jaundice in Erbil City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Biology, College Of Education Of Pure sciences , University Of Anbar, Ramadi 31001, Anbar, Iraq

² Department of Biology, College of Education For Pure Sciences, University Of Anbar, Ramadi, Anbar, 31001, Iraq

³ General Directorate of Education in Anbar, Ministry of Education in Iraq, Anbar, Iraq.

⁴ Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University Of Anbar, Ramadi 31001, Anbar, Iraq

⁵ Department of Medical Laboratories Techniques, College of Health and Medical Technology, University of Al Maarif, 31003 ,Al Anbar, Iraq.

10.21608/jbaar.2025.358419.1149

Abstract

Blood infections can shift how the body works and make things get worse, turning a baby's yellow skin into a big health risk. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Erbil Hospital's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology treated 125 neonatal samples between January 2022 and June 2023. 50 neonatal samples with jaundice but no bacterial infection and 75 neonatal samples with jaundice and a confirmed bacterial blood infection (septicemia) made up the two groups of participants. Forty-three samples from a control group of healthy newborns were also included. Blood testing included WBC, hs-CRP, PCT, TRF, and liver enzymes: AST, GGT, and ALP. The showings were that WBC, hs-CRP, and PCT levels were high in babies with jaundice and septicemia, showing a big body fight response (P < 0.05). Babies with bacterial bugs had much lower TRF levels (P < 0.01) than those without, showing that the body fights changes in iron use in the body. Jaundiced neonates had higher levels of AST, ALP, and GGT according to liver enzyme testing; these values were more noticeable in those who also had blood infections, suggesting possible liver involvement. Babies with jaundice and bacterial infection had much higher white blood cell (WBC), hs-CRP, and PCT levels (P < 0.05). They also had lower transferrin (TRF) levels (P < 0.01). This shows body-wide infection and changes in how the body handles iron. Levels were liver enzymes, levels as jaundice groups: AST, GGT, ALP, and GUT, were high in both groups with jaundice, more so than in the control group.

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