ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Emma J. Pace, MD; Carina M. Brown, MD; Katharine C. DeGeorge, MD, MS Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: Department of Family Medicine, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, Calif An evidence-based approach (Dr. Pace); Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville This review provides the latest advice on the screening (Drs. Brown and DeGeorge) and management of hyperbilirubinemia in term infants.
[email protected] The authors reported no potential conflict of interest relevant to this article. ore than 60% of newborns appear clinically jaun- The views expressed in this pub- PRACTICE diced in the first few weeks of life,1 most often due lication are those of the authors RECOMMENDATIONS and do not reflect the official to physiologic jaundice. Mild hyperbilirubinemia ❯ Diagnose hyperbiliru- M policy or position of the peaks at Days 3 to 5 and returns to normal in the following Department of the Navy, the binemia in infants with 1 Department of Defense, or the weeks. However, approximately 10% of term and 25% of late bilirubin measured at >95th US government. preterm infants will undergo phototherapy for hyperbilirubi- percentile for age in hours. nemia in an effort to prevent acute bilirubin encephalopathy Do not use visual assessment 2 of jaundice for diagnosis as (ABE) and kernicterus. it may lead to errors. C Heightened vigilance to prevent these rare but devastating outcomes has made hyperbilirubinemia the most common ❯ Determine the threshold for cause of hospital readmission in infants in the United States3 initiation of phototherapy by applying serum bilirubin and and one with significant health care costs. This article sum- age in hours to the American marizes the evidence and recommendations for the screening, Academy of Pediatrics photo- evaluation, and management of hyperbilirubinemia in term therapy nomogram along a infants.