Bilirubin is a chemical compound (yellow in color) present in the blood that is responsible for breaking down “heme”. In some newborns, there is increased production of bilirubin which gets accumulated causing neonatal jaundice. Various factors like health, premature birth, postnatal age and TSB value determines increased secretion of bilirubin in babies. Risk of neonatal jaundice depends on the gestational age and total serum bilirubin levels in the blood. Jaundice causes yellow coloration of the skin and eyes. Treatment for neonatal jaundice includes exchange transfusion of blood and phototherapy depending on the health of the infant.
Level Of Bilirubin :
The symptoms of jaundice become visible with increasing levels of serum bilirubin. If the level of bilirubin is 2-3 mg/dL then discoloration can be seen on the sclera and if he levels ranges from 4-5 mg/dL face of the baby gets yellowish. With more and more volumes of bilirubin level is increased in blood head to foot discoloration can be seen in babies. It can affect the umbilicus if the levels are more than 15 mg/dL and even on the feet if it is more than 20 mg/dL.
Increased level of bilirubin in blood is known as hyperbilirubinemia and it can cause various complications. This condition can become evident in the first week of infants. In severe cases it can lead to kernicterus causing brain damage.
Metabolism :
Hemoglobin present in the blood gets broken down destroying old blood cells and producing new ones. In this process bilirubin is secreted in two forms known as unconjugated bilirubin and conjugated one. Unconjugated form of bilirubin is the compound that binds the albumin for sending it to the liver for absorption. And the conjugated bilirubin is stored in the duodenum and lastly flushed out during excretion process. The unconjugated form of bilirubin is recycled into the blood for further re-absorption.