Hyperbilirubinemia in the Term Infant: Re-evaluating What We Think We Know

Cathy Hammerman; Michael Kaplan

doi:10.1016/j.clp.2021.05.006

Hyperbilirubinemia in the Term Infant: Re-evaluating What We Think We Know

Clin Perinatol. 2021 Aug;48(3):533-554. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2021.05.006.

Authors

Cathy Hammerman¹, Michael Kaplan²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center; The Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: cathyh@ekmd.huji.ac.il.
² The Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center (Emeritus).

PMID: 34353579
DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2021.05.006

Abstract

This article attempts to highlight contemporary issues relating to term neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and to focus attention on controversial issues and concepts with the potential to effect change in clinical approach. On the one hand, the focus is bilirubin neurotoxicity, which is now known to encompass a wide, diverse spectrum of features. The various aspects of this spectrum are outlined and defined. On the other hand, bilirubin also possesses antioxidant properties. As such, mild hyperbilirubinemia is suggested as actually offering the neonate some protective advantage.

Keywords: Bilirubin; Hyperbilirubinemia; Neurologic damage; Term infant.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bilirubin
Humans
Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal*
Infant
Infant, Newborn

Substances

Bilirubin