Neonatology Book

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Jaundice in NewbornsAka: Neonatal Jaundice, Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia, Newborn Jaundice

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  1. See also
    1. Nonphysiologic Neonatal Jaundice
  2. Epidemiology
    1. Jaundice Incidence in full term infants: 60%
    2. Jaundice Incidence in Preterm Infants: 80%
  3. Pathophysiology: Physiologic Jaundice
    1. See Breast Feeding Jaundice
    2. Physiologic Jaundice
      1. Transient limitation of Bilirubin conjugation (immature hepatic glucuronosyltransferase)
      2. Increased Hemolysis
        1. Hemoglobin drops from 20 to 12 in first week
    3. Exaggerated Physiologic Jaundice
      1. Low glucuronyl transferase (Hepatic immaturity)
      2. Risk factors
        1. Breast Feeding Jaundice
        2. Prematurity
        3. Asian ethnicity
        4. Weight loss
  4. Signs: Jaundice
    1. Indicates Total Bilirubin >4 mg/dl
    2. Physiologic Jaundice not present on Day 1
    3. Level of Jaundice correlates with Bilirubin level
      1. Jaundice above nipple line
        1. Reliably predicts Bilirubin <12 mg/dl
      2. Less accurate landmarks for estimation of Bilirubin
        1. Head and neck Jaundice: 6 mg/dl Bilirubin
        2. Trunk to Umbilicus: 9 mg/dl Bilirubin
        3. Trunk to knees: 12 mg/dl Bilirubin
        4. Wrists and Ankles: 15 mg/dl Bilirubin
        5. Hands and Feet: >15 mg/dl Bilirubin
  5. Differential Diagnosis
    1. See Neonatal Jaundice Causes
  6. Labs: Bilirubin
    1. See Neonatal Bilirubin
    2. Transcutaneous Bili Meter
      1. Accurate in white infants
      2. Overestimates Bilirubin in black infants
      3. Do not use to monitor infants on Phototherapy
  7. Labs: Secondary Cause
    1. See Nonphysiologic Neonatal Jaundice for additional evaluation
  8. Evaluation: Jaudice Monitoring before hospital discharge
    1. Visually inspect skin with vital signs (at least every 8 hours)
      1. Visual inspection alone has low Test Sensitivity
      2. Confirming observation with transcutaneous or Serum Bilirubin is preferred
      3. Moyer (2000) Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 154:391
    2. Obtain Transcutaneous Bilirubin or Serum Bilirubin
      1. Often part of hospital directed universal screening (e.g. all newborns at 24 hours)
      2. Obtain for Jaundice
        1. Neonatal Jaundice in the first 24 hours
        2. Neonatal Jaundice that appears excessive (e.g. below nipple line)
        3. Neonatal Jaundice that is difficult to assess on exam
  9. Evaluation: Jaundice Monitoring after hospital discharge
    1. Based on age
      1. Discharge before 24 hours old: Reevaluate by 72 hours old
      2. Discharge before 48 hours old: Reevaluate by 96 hours old
      3. Discharge before 72 hours old: Reevaluate by 120 hours old
    2. Based on risk factors
      1. See Severe Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia Risk Factors
      2. Number of risk factors dictates timing of follow-up (typically within 24-48 hours)
  10. Management
    1. See Phototherapy Indications
    2. See Breast Feeding Jaundice
  11. Prevention
    1. Adequate early nutrition and hydration
      1. See Breast Feeding Technique
      2. See Infant Feeding
      3. See Formula Feeding
      4. Do not supplement with dextrose water or plain water
    2. Monitoring
      1. See Evaluation above
  12. Complications
    1. Kernicterus is most linked to nonphysiologic causes
    2. Kernicterus has been associated with physiologic causes
      1. Physiologic Jaundice
      2. Exaggerated Jaundice
      3. Breast Feeding Jaundice
  13. References
    1. (2004) Pediatrics 114(1):297
    2. (2001) Pediatrics 108(3):763
    3. Dennery (2001) N Engl J Med 344:581
    4. Moerschel (2008) Am Fam Physician 77:1255
    5. Porter (2002) Am Fam Physician 65(4):599

Neonatal Jaundice (C0022353)

Definition (MSH)Yellow discoloration of the SKIN; MUCOUS MEMBRANE; and SCLERA in the NEWBORN. It is a sign of NEONATAL HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA. Most cases are transient self-limiting (PHYSIOLOGICAL NEONATAL JAUNDICE) occurring in the first week of life, but some can be a sign of pathological disorders, particularly LIVER DISEASES.
ConceptsDisease or Syndrome (T047)
ICD9774.6
EnglishIcterus neonatorum, JAUNDICE NEONATAL, Neonatal Jaundice
Spanishictericia neonatal, icterus neonatorum
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)


Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal (C0857007)

Definition (MSH)Accumulation of BILIRUBIN, a breakdown product of HEME PROTEINS, in the BLOOD during the first weeks of life. This may lead to NEONATAL JAUNDICE. The excess bilirubin may exist in the unconjugated (indirect) or the conjugated (direct) form. The condition may be self-limiting (PHYSIOLOGICAL NEONATAL JAUNDICE) or pathological with toxic levels of bilirubin.
ConceptsDisease or Syndrome (T047)
ICD9774.6
EnglishNeonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia
Spanishhiperbilirrubinemia neonatal
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)



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