CHAPTER 15 Jaundice
Term newborns
Features to be alert for in term newborns with jaundice are:
Note: for SBR 1mg/dL ≅ 17 μmol/L.
Investigate babies who need phototherapy:
Concerns include severe hyperbilirubinaemia, evidence of congenital viral infection, green-looking jaundice, pale stools and dark urine.
Therapy guidelines for term newborns
There are no rigorously tested guidelines for therapy. Consider using Figures 15.1 and 15.2 — they are based on experience rather than any rigid testing scheme or randomised controlled trial.
[These graphs were prepared by using data from: Anonymous. Clinical practice guideline: management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation. American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia. Pediatrics 2004;114:297–316 (erratum appears in Pediatrics 2004;114:1138).]
Low risk: ≥38 weeks gestation and no risk factors.
Medium risk: 35–37+6 weeks gestation and no risk factors; OR ≥38 weeks and risk factors present.
High risk: 35–37+6 weeks gestation and risk factors present.
(DAT = direct antibody test; G6PD = glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase)
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