Neonatal jaundice occurs in 60% of term and 80% of preterm neonates. It is caused by an imbalance between bilirubin production and excretion in newborns. Jaundice is classified as either physiological or pathological based on timing of onset, bilirubin levels, and duration. The document discusses the mechanisms, risk factors, clinical assessment, investigations, management including phototherapy and exchange transfusion, and various causes of neonatal jaundice.
2. Neonatal Jaundice
Visible form of bilirubinemia
Adult sclera >2mg / dl
Newborn skin >5 mg / dl
Occurs in 60% of term and 80% of preterm
neonates
However, significant jaundice occurs in 6% of term
babies
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3. NJ - 3
HEME
NADPH
O2
NADPH Cytochrome c Reductase
Heme Oxygenase
NADP
H2O
FE
BILIVERDIN
Biliverdin
Reductase
BILIRUBIN
CO
NADPH
NADP
ALBUMIN
LIVER
4. Bilirubin metabolism
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Hb globin + haem
1g Hb = 34mg bilirubin
Non heme source
1 mg / kg
Bilirubin
glucuronidase
Bilirubin
Bilirubin
Ligandin
(Y - acceptor)
Bil glucuronide
Intestine
Bil
glucuronide
Stercobilin
bacteria
硫 glucuronidase
ALB
5. Clinical assessment of jaundice
Area of body Bilirubin levels
mg/dl (*17=umol)
Face 4-8
Upper trunk 5-12
Lower trunk & thighs 8-16
Arms and lower legs 11-18
Palms & soles > 15
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6. Physiological jaundice
Characteristics
Appears after 24 hours
Maximum intensity by 4th-5th day in term & 7th
day in preterm
Serum level <15 mg / dl
Clinically not detectable after 14 days
Disappears without any treatment
Note: Baby should, however, be watched for worsening
jaundice
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8. NJ - 8
Age in Days
Term
Preterm
1 2 3 4 5 6 10 11 12 13 14
15
10
5
Bilirubin
level
mg/dl
Course of physiological
jaundice
9. Pathological jaundice
Appears within 24 hours of age
Increase of bilirubin > 5 mg / dl / day
Serum bilirubin > 15 mg / dl
Jaundice persisting after 14 days
Stool clay / white colored and urine staining clothes
yellow
Direct bilirubin> 2 mg / dl
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10. Causes of jaundice
Appearing within 24 hours of age
Hemolytic disease of NB : Rh, ABO
Infections: TORCH, malaria, bacterial
G6PD deficiency
Appearing between 24-72 hours of life
Physiological
Sepsis
Polycythemia
Concealed hemorrhage
Intraventricular hemorrhage
Increased entero-hepatic circulation
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11. Causes of jaundice
After 72 hours of age
Sepsis
Cephalhaematoma
Neonatal hepatitis
Extra-hepatic biliary atresia
Breast milk jaundice
Metabolic disorders
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12. Risk factors for jaundice
JAUNDICE
J - jaundice within first 24 hrs of life
A - a sibling who was jaundiced as neonate
U - unrecognized hemolysis
N non-optimal sucking/nursing
D - deficiency of G6PD
I - infection
C cephalhematoma /bruising
E - East Asian/North Indian
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13. Common causes
Exaggerated physiological
Blood group incompatibility ABO,Rh
G6PD deficiency
Bruising and cephalhaematoma
Intrauterine and postnatal infections
Breast milk jaundice
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14. Approach to jaundiced baby
Ascertain birth weight, gestation and postnatal age
Ask when jaundice was first noticed
Assess clinical condition (well or ill)
Decide whether jaundice is physiological or pathological
Look for evidence of kernicterus* in deeply jaundiced NB
*Lethargy and poor feeding, poor or absent Moro's, opisthotonus
or convulsions
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15. Workup
Maternal & perinatal history
Physical examination
Laboratory tests (must in all)*
Total & direct bilirubin*
Blood group and Rh for mother and baby*
Hematocrit, retic count and peripheral smear*
Sepsis screen
Liver and thyroid function
TORCH titers, liver scan when conjugated
hyperbilirubinemia
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16. Management
Rationale: reduce level of serum bilirubin and prevent
bilirubin toxicity
Prevention of hyperbilirubinemia: early feeds,
adequate hydration
Reduction of bilirubin levels: phototherapy, exchange
transfusion, drugs
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19. Phototherapy
Technique
Perform hand wash
Place baby naked in cradle or incubator
Fix eye shades
Keep baby at least 45 cm from lights, if using closer
monitor temperature of baby
Start phototherapy
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20. Phototherapy
Frequent extra breast feeding every 2 hourly
Turn baby after each feed
Temperature record 2 to 4 hourly
Weight record- daily
Monitor urine frequency
Monitor bilirubin level
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21. Side effects of phototherapy
Increased insensible water loss
Loose stools
Skin rash
Bronze baby syndrome
Hyperthermia
Upsets maternal baby interaction
May result in hypocalcemia
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22. Choice of blood for exchange
blood transfusion
ABO incompatibility
Use O blood of same Rh type, ideal O cells suspended in
AB plasma
Rh isoimmunization
Emergency 0 -ve blood Ideal 0 -ve
suspended in AB plasma or baby's blood group
but Rh -ve
Other situations
Baby's blood group
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23. Hyperbilirubinemia
24 48 72 96 120 144
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420
400
380
360
340
320
300
280
260
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
V.
IV.
III.
II.
I.
24. NJ - 25
premi (< 37. GW) term (> 37 GW)
Rh ABO other Rh ABO other
V. ET ET ET VT ET ET
IV. ET ET ET ET Pho Pho
III. ET Pho Pho B B B
II. B B B B b B
I. b b b b / /
Indication for exchange transfusion,
phototherapy and bilirubin level follow up
26. Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia
Suspect
High colored urine
White or clay colored stool
Caution
Always refer to hospital for investigations so that
biliary atresia or metabolic disorders can be
diagnosed and managed early
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