| Abstract: | A prospective study on the rise of serum bilirubin during the first 24 hours of life has been carried out in a sample of 343 newborns from the population of Rome. The rise of serum bilirubin level during the first 24 hours of life depends on season of birth showing a minimum in the Autumn. The phenomenon is much more marked in female than in male newborn infants. Recent studies suggest a beneficial action of bilirubin due to its protective effect from secondary oxidants. Since the newborn infant is very sensible to oxidative damage, it is possible that seasonal variation of bilirubin level during the first few days of life may influence further development and susceptibility to pathological manifestations. |
