Understanding neonatal jaundice: a perspective on causation.
Pediatr Neonatol
; 51(3): 143-8, 2010 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20675237
ABSTRACT
Neonatal jaundice can be best understood as a balance between the production and elimination of bilirubin, with a multitude of factors and conditions affecting each of these processes. When an imbalance results because of an increase in circulating bilirubin (or the bilirubin load) to significantly high levels (severe hyperbilirubinemia), it may cause permanent neurologic sequelae (kernicterus). In most infants, an increase in bilirubin production (e.g., due to hemolysis) is the primary cause of severe hyperbilirubinemia, and thus reducing bilirubin production is a rational approach for its management. The situation can become critical in infants with an associated impaired bilirubin elimination mechanism as a result of a genetic deficiency and/or polymorphism. Combining information about bilirubin production and genetic information about bilirubin elimination with the tracking of bilirubin levels means that a relative assessment of jaundice risk might be feasible. Information on the level of bilirubin production and its rate of elimination may help to guide the clinical management of neonatal jaundice.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Bilirrubina
/
Icterícia Neonatal
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
/
Newborn
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pediatr Neonatol
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article