Icterus Neonatorum in Near-Term and Term Infants An overview
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2012, Vol 12, Issue 2
Abstract
Neonatal jaundice is the yellowish discoloration of the skin and/or sclerae of newborn infants caused by tissue deposition of bilirubin. Physiological jaundice is mild, unconjugated (indirect-reacting) bilirubinaemia, and affects nearly all newborns. Physiological jaundice levels typically peak at 5 to 6 mg/dL (86 to 103 µmol/L) at 72 to 96 hours of age, and do not exceed 17 to 18 mg/dL (291–308 µmol/L). Levels may not peak until seven days of age in Asian infants, or in infants born at 35 to 37 weeks’ gestation. Higher levels of unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia are considered pathological and occur in a variety of conditions. Te clinical features and management of unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia in healthy near-term and term infants, as well as bilirubin toxicity and the prevention of kernicterus, are reviewed here. Te pathogenesis and aetiology of this disorder are discussed separately.
Authors and Affiliations
Rehan Ali| Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Shakeel Ahmed| Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Maqbool Qadir| Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Khalil Ahmad| Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Keywords
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