Hyperbilirubinemia in Infants 1

Hyperbilirubinemia in Infants

Hyperbilirubinemia in Infants

Haylie Phillips

Jackson College
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Hyperbilirubinemia in Infants
Bilirubin is a substance that is formed by the breakdown of red blood cells. In infants,

bilirubin builds up in blood and tissues easily because infants cannot process the excess readily.

When bilirubin builds up in their system, this excess bilirubin is termed hyperbilirubinemia.

Jaundice is indicative of hyperbilirubinemia that has surpassed the bodys threshold for

management. Treatment is based on the tolerance of the infant and prognosis.

Hyperbilirubinemia is experienced differently in each infant affected. The most common

symptom includes yellow coloring of the infants skin. This can be seen first in the sclera of the

eyes and then spreads peripherally. The infant may also experience other signs and symptoms

including poor feeding or lethargy. There are multiple causes including; physiologic jaundice

which is the normal response to the limited ability of the infant to excrete bilirubin in the first

days of life. Jaundice from hemolysis may occur due to hemolytic disease of the newborn or

from having an excess of red blood cells naturally breaking down and releasing bilirubin. In

inadequate liver function there may be relation to an infection and complications with breast

milk/feeding could contribute to jaundice as well. Early recognition and treatment are important

because complications of hyperbilirubinemia can be severe.

Precaution and immediate intervention is of high importance with excess bilirubin. Large

amounts circulating to the tissues in the brain could potentially cause seizures or brain damage,

this condition is known as kernicterus. Diagnosing hyperbilirubinemia includes obtaining red

blood cell counts, blood type and testing for Rh incompatibility, direct and indirect bilirubin

levels. Treatment will be determined by the infants doctor and dependent on the infants age,

extent of the disease, prognosis of the disease and the families opinion. The infants tolerance to
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medications, procedures, or therapies will also be a determining factor. There are numerous

treatments for hyperbilirubinemia. Phototherapy exposes the infant to special blue spectrum

lights in order to lower bilirubin levels, the babys eyes must be protected and temperature

monitored throughout treatment. Another type of phototherapy is a fiberoptic blanket which

involves placing a fiberoptic blanket under the baby. Adequate hydration, treatment of the

underlying cause, or an exchange transfusion to replace infants damaged blood with fresh blood

are other common treatments.

While hyperbilirubinemia is not preventable there are many treatments if diagnosed in a

timely manner. In summation, hyperbilirubinemia results from the breakdown of red blood cells,

babies have a limited ability to rid the excess bilirubin leading to excess build up. This untreated

excess bilirubin circulating in the blood can deposit in brain tissues leading to damage and

possibly seizures. An obvious sign of hyperbilirubinemia is the condition of yellowing sclera and

skin termed jaundice. There are different diagnostic test to diagnose and treatment is determined

by what is best for the infant.

References
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Children's Health. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2016, from http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/

en/topic/default?id=hyperbilirubinemia-and-jaundice-90-P02375