Bilirubin and Jaundice in Newborns

An excessive level of bilirubin in the blood, causing yellowing of the skin and other organs. It's common in newborns, but extreme levels can signify a serious problem.

The breakdown product of hemoglobin from red blood cell destruction. It exists in two forms: unconjugated (insoluble) and conjugated (soluble).

The process of converting unconjugated bilirubin into conjugated bilirubin. This makes it soluble and excretable.

The process of removing bilirubin from the body through urine and stool. This happens after the bilirubin is conjugated.

The organ responsible for conjugating bilirubin and excreting it into bile.

Jaundice in newborns that is not caused by any disease. It's due to the baby's liver still developing and not being able to break down bilirubin efficiently.

A condition where the brain is affected by high levels of bilirubin, leading to neurological problems.

Red blood cells in newborns have a shorter lifespan, leading to more bilirubin production

The enzyme in the liver that helps break down bilirubin is not fully developed in newborns, leading to slower bilirubin processing.

The process by which bilirubin is broken down in the intestines and reabsorbed back into the blood, prolonging jaundice.

A common side effect of bilirubin encephalopathy that causes involuntary muscle movements.

Long-term effects of untreated or severe bilirubin encephalopathy.

Incompatibility in blood types between the mother and fetus, specifically when the mother has type O blood and the baby has type A or B blood. Maternal antibodies attack the fetal red blood cells, causing hemolysis.

The breakdown of red blood cells. This releases bilirubin into the bloodstream.

A condition where the fetus is swollen due to fluid accumulation. It can be caused by various factors, including blood incompatibility.

The process of converting unconjugated bilirubin (insoluble) into conjugated bilirubin (soluble) in the liver. This allows for excretion.

The process of removing bilirubin from the body, primarily through the urine and stool. It occurs after bilirubin is conjugated.

A test that measures the level of antibodies in the mother's blood that can harm the fetus. It's often done during pregnancy.

Feeding plays a crucial role in reducing bilirubin levels in newborns. It increases peristalsis, leading to more frequent meconium passage, which minimizes unconjugated bilirubin reabsorption. Additionally, bacteria introduced through feeding help convert bilirubin to urobilinogen, a form easily excretable in urine and feces.

Colostrum, the first milk produced after birth, acts as a laxative, aiding in the expulsion of meconium, the infant's first stool. This process helps to decrease the absorption of bilirubin.

Breastfeeding-associated jaundice, occurring in the first few days of life, is primarily linked to insufficient caloric and fluid intake by the infant before the milk supply is well established. This can lead to decreased hepatic clearance of bilirubin and interfere with its conjugation.

When a newborn doesn't have adequate caloric intake, the production of hepatic binding proteins decreases, resulting in higher bilirubin levels. This is one of the reasons why breastfeeding-associated jaundice occurs.

Breastfeeding-associated jaundice is mainly caused by enterohepatic shunting, a process where bilirubin is recycled instead of being eliminated. This happens because the infant's gut isn't yet fully developed to break down bilirubin efficiently.

While supplemental fluids like glucose water might seem helpful, they don't actually enhance bilirubin excretion. In fact, they can delay the process. The best approach is to encourage frequent breastfeeding to increase bowel movements and monitor bilirubin levels closely.

Breast milk jaundice, a type of jaundice that appears around the fourth day of life, is characterized by high bilirubin levels that persist for several weeks but don't pose a health risk. It might be due to substances in breast milk that interfere with bilirubin conjugation or excretion.

Jaundice in the first 24 hours is usually an indicator of serious conditions like hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), sepsis, or maternal complications like diabetes or infections. In contrast, physiologic jaundice, which appears on the second or third day and peaks around the fifth day, is a normal physiological process.

A blood test that checks for antibodies attached to red blood cells (RBCs). A positive test indicates the presence of Rh-positive antibodies in the mother's blood, which can be harmful to an Rh-positive fetus.

A blood test that determines the presence and level of Rh antibodies in a mother's blood. These antibodies are produced when an Rh-negative mother is exposed to Rh-positive blood, often during pregnancy or childbirth.

A condition in a newborn caused by Rh incompatibility, where maternal Rh antibodies destroy fetal red blood cells, leading to anemia, jaundice, and other complications.

A colorless fluid that surrounds a developing fetus inside the amniotic sac. It can be tested to determine bilirubin levels and other indicators of fetal health.

A procedure involving the insertion of a needle into the amniotic sac to collect amniotic fluid for testing. This fluid can be analyzed to assess fetal health and detect various conditions like Rh incompatibility.

A common treatment for newborns with high bilirubin levels caused by Rh incompatibility or other factors. This helps to break down bilirubin and reduce jaundice.

A procedure to replace a newborn's blood with donor blood. This is a more invasive treatment for severe cases of Rh incompatibility or ABO incompatibility when other treatments fail.

Erythrocytes (red blood cells) coated with antibodies that trigger the immune system to destroy them. These cause excessive bilirubin build-up.

A deficiency in blood calcium, a common complication of exchange transfusion, characterized by irritability, tachycardia, and prolonged QT interval on ECG.

The main vein carrying blood back to the heart, where the catheter is threaded during an exchange transfusion.

The procedure of inserting a catheter into the umbilical vein and guiding it into the inferior vena cava.

A life-threatening condition resulting from rapid, uncontrolled increases in serum bilirubin levels, requiring urgent intervention such as exchange transfusion.

A common complication of exchange transfusion caused by clotting within blood vessels, potentially affecting blood flow and organ function.