These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: [Controversial aspects and rational bases of the treatment in neonatal jaundice].
    Author: Orzalesi M, Lucchini R, Sallustio GL.
    Journal: Pediatr Med Chir; 1992; 14(3-6 Suppl):17-27. PubMed ID: 1589331.
    Abstract:
    High serum bilirubin levels (SBL), over 20-25 mg/dl are toxic for the Central Nervous System (CNS) of newborn infants. However, the possible toxicity on the CNS of "intermediate" SBL both in term and preterm neonates are still a matter of debate. An extensive review of the literature in this respect did not provide conclusive evidence for a dose-response pattern of toxicity for SBL 18-20 mg/dl in infants without hemolysis and/or other risk factors (such as extreme prematurity, hypoxia, hypercapnia, acidosis, sepsis, hyperosmolarity, etc.). Therefore, an aggressive approach to the treatment and/or prophylaxis of neonatal jaundice when SBL are below 20 or even 25 mg/dl is not justified on the basis of the present knowledge. This is particularly true when treatment includes phototherapy and/or exchange-transfusion which are associated with clinically significant complications and side effects. Guidelines for treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in full-term and preterm infants, with and without added complications and/or risk factors, are provided in the attempt of encouraging a more critical approach to neonatal jaundice, which is coherent with the data available in the literature and which should optimize the risk/benefit ratio.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]