HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA

Hyperbilirubinemia

Cloe Zigler

Jackson College
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Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood.

About 60 percent of term newborns and 80 percent of premature babies develop

jaundice/hyperbilirubinemia (n.d.) Each infant may experience the symptoms of having

jaundice differently. The most common signs and symptoms for hyperbilirubinemia/jaundice

arise two to four days after birth and they include: yellowing of the skin, usually starting on the

face and spreading through abdomen, yellowing on the sclera, and poor breast feeding and or

lethargy.

Hyperbilirubinemia can become dangerous if medical interventions are not set into play.

Even though low levels of bilirubin is not a warning sign of danger, once large amounts buildup

it can become a concern. When bilirubin levels rise too high in newborns the bilirubin can begin

to circulate and start to affect other tissues, such as the brain. Once this has occurred major side

effects related to hyperbilirubinemia can happen such as: deafness, cerebral palsy, and

Kernicterus-brain damage. Prevention is possible. Knowing babies risk for jaundice, checking

bilirubin level in the first day or so, and scheduling at least one follow up visit the first week of

life for babies sent home from the hospital in 72 hours (Kaneshiro,2015)

Nursing interventions are available if hyperbilirubinemia becomes of danger. Treatment

depends on many factors, including the cause, and level of bilirubin (Kaneshiro,2015)

Treatments that are currently available include: Phototherapy- special blue spectrum lights, Fiber

optic blankets- another form of phototherapy, Exchange transfusion to replace the babys

damaged blood with fresh blood, adequate hydration with breastfeeding and or breast pumped

milk, and treating any possible underlying issues-like infection.

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Hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice an occur 60 to 80 percent of the time depending on each

infants situation. Low levels of bilirubin are normal after birth and do not usually cause harm.

Early screening is essential to preventing any unwanted side effects from jaundice. If not

prevented possible side effects may become detrimental to the infant, but there are many

treatments available if caught in time and treated.

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Work Cited

Stanford Childrens Health (n.d) Retrieved September 18, 2016,

From http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=hyperbilirubinemia-and-
jaundice-90-P02375

Neil K. Kaneshiro, (2015). Newborn jaundice: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved

September 18, 2016, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001559.htm