This blog contains information about neonatal jaundice, bilirubin's normal range in babies, and physiological and pathological jaundice differences.
The first seven days are critical for a neonate to develop Neonatal jaundice or neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. These are developmental disorders are observed in 8 - 11% of neonates. A high level of bilirubin in Neonates is called neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The high levels can be toxic for the central nervous system development of the baby. The babies that develop high bilirubin levels in their first seven days are benign and 60% of the cases get okay without any intervention. About 5 - 10% of cases require the use of treatment like phototherapy.
Normal Range of Bilirubin in Newborn Babies
0.3 mg/dL to 1.0 mg/dL is the normal bilirubin range in newborn babies. This level of bilirubin stays within the first 24 hours after birth. The level of bilirubin when phototherapy is given for treatment is:
- 25 - 48 hours old baby has more than 15 mg/dL of total serum bilirubin.
- 49 - 72 hours old baby has more than 18 mg/dL total serum bilirubin level.
- > 72 hours old baby has more than 20 mg/dL total serum bilirubin level.
Physiological Jaundice vs Pathological Jaundice
Physiological jaundice:
It is the most common type of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia without any serious consequences. The bilirubin in physiological jaundice is generally in unconjugated form and it’s levels in the serum are less than 15 mg/dL. Physiological jaundice appears 24 - 72 hours after the birth. The levels of bilirubin in this condition are at their peak on the 4th or 5th day after birth and finally disappear when the baby is 10 - 14 days old.
Pathological Jaundice:
When a newborn baby’s bilirubin levels exceed a certain level such that medical intervention is required, it is called pathological jaundice. In this, there are more than 5 mg/dL/day levels of serum bilirubin and it goes beyond within 24 hours after birth.
Takeaway
An extremely common condition, neonatal jaundice starts appearing within the first seven days of life. This is why a baby’s careful monitoring is necessary in the first week. In mild cases, no medical intervention is required. However, in severe cases, certain treatments including phototherapy can help treat jaundice. Now that you have collected all the information, you can monitor your baby in their first few days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I reduce the bilirubin level of my baby?
In case of high bilirubin levels or hyperbilirubinemia, certain treatment approaches including phototherapy, intravenous immunoglobulin, exchange transfusion, and enhanced nutrition are used to reduce the bilirubin levels.
Can bilirubin level rise back after phototherapy?
Yes, after phototherapy the bilirubin levels can rise back, however, this happens only in rare cases. In such a situation, follow-up and other treatment options are also considered for the baby.
Is phototherapy a safe treatment option for hyperbilirubinemia?
It is an effective and safe treatment option for hyperbilirubinemia cases. It does not use any ionising rays which can harm the growing baby. The treatment becomes more effective when your baby’s maximum skin is exposed to this light.
Is 19 mg/dL considered as a high bilirubin level in newborns?
When more than 5 mg/dL/day levels of total serum bilirubin level is there or if the level is more than 17 mg/dL during the baby’s first 24 hours of birth, he is known to have hyperbilirubinemia.
