['To compare levels of bilirubin (using the area under the curve, AUC) in preterm infants before the onset of sepsis with healthy matched-controls.', 'Preterm infants born between January 2011 and December 2015 with late-onset sepsis were enrolled in our retrospective study and were matched with healthy controls (sex, birth weight and gestational age). Levels of bilirubin were registered in the eight days preceding the onset of sepsis and the AUC was calculated for both groups.', 'Eighty-eight neonates (44 cases) were studied. GA and BW did not differ between cases and controls. In cases, we found a higher value of AUC (30.7 versus 22.5; p\u2009=\u20090.021).'] Is bilirubin exposure associated with neonatal sepsis in the eight days preceding symptoms : a retrospective study?