ABSTRACT
Jaundice occurs in most newborn infants. Bilirubin is the main cause of jaundice. Bilirubin which is responsible for the yellow colour of jaundice is a normal part of of the pigment released from the breakdown of ‘used’ red blood cells. Most jaundice is benign, but because of the potential toxicity of bilirubin, newborn infants must be monitored to identify those who might develop severe hyperbilirubinemia and, in rare cases, acute bilirubin encephalopathy or kernicterus. The focus of this guideline is to reduce the incidence of severe hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin encephalopathy while minimizing the risks of unintended harm such as maternal anxiety, decreased breastfeeding, and unnecessary costs or treatment. Although kernicterus should almost always be preventable, cases continue to occur. These guidelines provide a framework for the prevention and management of hyperbilirubinemia in newborn infants of 35 or more weeks of gestation. In every infant, we recommend that clinicians 1) promote and support successful breastfeeding; 2) perform a systematic assessment before discharge for the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia; 3) provide early and focused follow-up based on the risk assessment; and 4) when indicated, treat newborns with phototherapy or exchange transfusion to prevent the development of severe hyperbilirubinemia and, possibly, bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus).
ELICIOUS CHUKWUEMEKA, I. (2018). MANAGEMENT OF JAUNDICE IN NEONATES. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/management-of-jaundice-in-neonates
ELICIOUS CHUKWUEMEKA, ISIGUZO "MANAGEMENT OF JAUNDICE IN NEONATES" Afribary. Afribary, 16 Apr. 2018, https://afribary.com/works/management-of-jaundice-in-neonates. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
ELICIOUS CHUKWUEMEKA, ISIGUZO . "MANAGEMENT OF JAUNDICE IN NEONATES". Afribary, Afribary, 16 Apr. 2018. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/management-of-jaundice-in-neonates >.
ELICIOUS CHUKWUEMEKA, ISIGUZO . "MANAGEMENT OF JAUNDICE IN NEONATES" Afribary (2018). Accessed December 22, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/management-of-jaundice-in-neonates