Neonatal Jaundice Flashcards
What is the definition of neonatal jaundice?
- 80-120μmol/L
- Serum bilirubin
- which causes yellowing of the skin and sclera
What should be asked in a jaundice history?
- Onset, change?
- Feeding - breastfeeding? bottle fed? amount, frequency
- Wet & dry nappies - change in colour ?dark urine, pale stool or frequency?
PMHx:
- antenatal scans normal?
- prerinatal GBS, mat infections? Rh status / presence of antibodies?
- postnatal - baby well since birth?
What should be included in examination / bloods of neonates with jaundice?
weight and exam
bloods: TFT + urine now checked @5d heel prick test; do FBC + bilirubin
NB: hypothyroid = dc bilirubin conjugation rate, impaired gut motility too (e.g. get rid of bili relatech chem) –> cause jaundice
What problems are associated with neonatal jaundice?
- may be a sign of underlying problem e.g. infection
- kernicterus: encepalopathy
What is kernicterus encephalopathy and how does it relate to neonatal jaundice?
- kernicterus encephalopathy is caused by the deposition of
- unconjugated bilirubin (e.g. not conjugated to glucuronic acid in hepatocytes yet) in the Basal ganglia and brainstem
- these have neurotoxic effects which can be
- transient or
- permanent
A jaundiced neonate presents with lethargy and poor feeding which type of kernicterus would this be?
mild type
A jaundiced neonate presents with irritability, seizures, increased muscle tone causing baby to arch their back (opisthotonos) and death.
What kernicterus type is this?
Severe type!
What are the long term (permanent) complications of neonatal jaundice?
- learning difficulties
- sensorineural hearing loss
- cerebral palsy
The presentation time of jaundice can indicate if its is pathological or not. What time frames are they?
- < 24 hours - ALWAYS PATHOLOGICAL
- 24h-14days = PHYSIOLOGICAL
- > 14d = PROLONGED SO RREFER
In a jaundiced neonate the urine is normal colour, but contains +++ urobilinogen
Stool: normal/ dark
Pruritus: no
LFTs: normal
Is the jaundice caused by conjugated or unconjugated bilirubin?
Unconjugated
in a jaundiced neonate the urine is dark, ++ conjugated bilirubin + bile salt
Stool: acholic (no bile)
Pruritus: yes
LFTs: ALP 10-12x increased
what type bilirubin is causing this jaundice?
Conjugated (serious liver disease)
- Rhesus haemolytic disease
- ABO haemolytic disease
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- G6PD deficiency
What type and presentation of neonatal jaundice do these conditions give?
they are jaundice caused by unconjugated bilirubin e.g. from breakdown of haemoblobin
What type and presentation of neonatal jaundice do these conditions give?
- Breast milk polycythaemia (most commonly)
- (Infection e.g. UTI)
- (Haemolytic disease)
jaundice occurs because of unconjugated bilirubin
these conditons occur betweek 24 hrs and 14d
they are physiological TF
(although infection and haemolysis are pathophysio)
What type and presentation of neonatal jaundice does sepsis give?
sepsis gives a conjugated bilirubin issue –> jaundice
(from dysfunction of hepatic cells etc & ~serious liver disease)
What type and presentation of neonatal jaundice do these conditions give?
- (Breast milk polycythaemia)
- Infection e.g. UTI
- Haemolytic disease
- Congenital hypothyroidism
These give unconjugated bilirubin rise
at >14days - meaning its prolonged & should refer