Neonatal Jaundice

Question 1

What is Jaundice

Answer 1

-yellow staining of the skin, sclera and mucous membrane that result from high levels of bilirubin in the circulation (hyperbillirubinaemia)

Question 2

Risks associated with hyperbillirubinaemia

Answer 2

the unconjugated (fat soluble) bilirubin can cross the blood brain barrier and be deposited in the basal ganglia in the brain. Leading to billirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus

Question 3

What is Bilirubin Encephalopathy and Kernicterus

Answer 3

BE - acute neurological dysfunction associated with hyperbillirubinemia
Kernicterus - pathological term, referring to the long term neurodevelopmental effects of BE (CP, LD, deafness)

Question 4

Risk factors for developing jaundice

Answer 4

• gestation under 38 weeks
• exclusively breastfeeding
• visible jaundice in first 24 hours
• blood group incompatibility
• significant head bruising

Question 5

Physiological Jaundice

Answer 5

affects babies in the first few days after birth. levels peak at day 5 and reduce by day 7, once feeding is established

Question 6

Pathological Jaundice

Answer 6

• can develop in the first 24 hours
• persistence of jaundice for more than 14 days/10 days in preterm
• normally as a result of some underlying disease process

Question 7

Why do all babies have a rise in unconjugated bilirubin after birth

Answer 7

• increased red cell breakdown
• reduced albumin levels
• bowel activity is decreased until feeding is established

Question 8

What is Albumin

Answer 8

-Albumin is a protein made by your liver. Albumin helps keep fluid in your bloodstream so it doesn’t leak into other tissues.