Background: Newborns with hyperbilirubinemia are at greater risk of kernicterus. Neonatal screening for hyperbilirubinemia helps to prevent kernicterus.

Aim: To find the correlation between cord blood bilirubin at birth and serum bilirubin at 72 hours of a neonate.

Method: Cord blood was drawn from 353 neonates, shortly after birth. The sample was then tested for both blood grouping and typing and total bilirubin levels. After 72 hours of birth, a second serum bilirubin test was carried out, and data was analysed to determine the correlation.

Results: In our study, neonates with significant hyperbilirubinemia (>15 mg/dl) around 72 hours of life had significantly elevated levels of cord blood bilirubin (≥2.5mg/dl. Cord Blood Bilirubin < 2.5 mg/dl can help to identify those newborns who are unlikely to require further evaluation and intervention.

Conclusion: Babies with Cord Blood Bilirubin level ≥ 2.5 mg/dl should be followed more frequently to reduce morbidity due to Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.