Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia
Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia (pronounced: nee-oh-nay-tal hahy-per-bil-uh-roo-buh-nee-mee-uh) is a common condition in newborns, usually appearing between 2 to 4 days after birth. It is characterized by a high level of bilirubin in the blood, which can cause the baby's skin and the whites of the eyes to appear yellow (jaundice).
Etymology
The term "Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia" is derived from the following medical terms: "Neonatal" (pertaining to the newborn period, specifically the first 28 days of life), "Hyper-" (a prefix meaning high or excessive), and "Bilirubinemia" (presence of bilirubin in the blood).
Causes
Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia can be caused by several factors, including:
- Hemolysis of red blood cells, which produces more bilirubin than the liver can process.
- Inadequate liver function, as the newborn's liver might not be mature enough to efficiently remove bilirubin from the blood.
- Lack of certain enzymes in the liver that are necessary to process bilirubin.
- Certain genetic conditions, such as Gilbert's syndrome or Crigler-Najjar syndrome, which affect how the liver processes bilirubin.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia is jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Other symptoms can include:
- Lethargy
- Poor feeding
- Dark, yellow urine (instead of colorless or pale yellow)
- Light or chalky-colored stools (instead of yellow or orange)
Treatment
Treatment for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia can include:
- Phototherapy: This is the most common treatment, where the baby is placed under a special light that helps to break down bilirubin in the skin.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG): This may be used if the baby's hyperbilirubinemia is caused by blood group incompatibility.
- Exchange transfusion: This is a procedure where the baby's blood is replaced with donor blood to quickly lower bilirubin levels. This is only used in severe cases.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia
- Wikipedia's article - Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia
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