Hyperbilirubinemia - Symptom, Causes, Treatment

Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common problems encountered in term newborns. A newborn may be bigger or smaller than usual or suffer from problems affecting blood, such as the levels of sugar in the blood being too high or too low. Kernicterus is chronic and irreversible bilirubin encephalopathy, and it is a preventable disorder. When neurological signs evident in the infant, permanent damage has already occurred, leading to death or long term disability. Babies are not easily able to get rid of the bilirubin and it can build up in the blood and other tissues and fluids of the baby's body.

Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood. When red blood cells break down, a substance called bilirubin is formed. These babies often go untreated or are re-admitted to the hospital for salvage phototherapy to reduce bilirubin levels after they have already risen to harmful levels. The heme portion of the hemoglobin molecule is converted into a yellow pigment called bilirubin, which is carried in the blood to the liver where it is chemically modified and then excreted in the bile into the newborn's digestive tract.

Causes of Hyperbilirubinemia

Common Causes of Hyperbilirubinemia :

• A condition that results from the breakdown of red blood cells due to hemolytic disease of the newborn (Rh disease), polycythemia, or hemorrhage.
• Occurs in some baby's in the first week due to low intake or dehydration.
• About 2 percent of breastfed babies develop jaundice after the first week.
• Inadequate liver function due to infection or other factors.

Symptoms of Hyperbilirubinemia

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the disease Hyperbilirubinemia are as follows:

• Jaundice of the skin.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Loss of appetite.
• Jaundice (yellowing) of the whites of the eyes.
• Abdominal pain .

Treatment of Hyperbilirubinemian

Find effective treatment methods of treating Hyperbilirubinemia :

• Another form of phototherapy is a fiberoptic blanket placed under the baby. This may be used alone or in combination with regular phototherapy.
• Treatment of breast milk jaundice often requires stopping the breastfeeding for one to two days and giving the baby formula often helps lower the bilirubin levels. Breastfeeding can then be resumed.
• When this is not the case or when multiple causes are possible, consultation with a gastroenterologist or hepatologist may be helpful.
• Babies who have bilirubin in their blood at a level that could be harmful need treatment.

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