Neonatal Jaundice Neonatal Jaundice Learning Objectives Define hyperbilirubinemia

Neonatal Jaundice

Neonatal Jaundice • • Learning Objectives: Define hyperbilirubinemia. Differentiate between physiological and pathological jaundice. State causes of hyperbilirubinemia. Discuss the pathophysiology of hyperbilirubinemia. Describe the most dangerous complication of hyperbilirubinemia. List the three elements of therapeutic management. Design plan of care for baby has NJ - 2 hyperbilirubinemia.

Neonatal Jaundice (Hyperbilirubinemia) Definition: Hyperbilirubinemia refers to an excessive level of accumulated bilirubin in the blood and is characterized by jaundice, a yellowish discoloration of the skin, sclerae, mucous membranes and nails. Unconjugated bilirubin = Indirect bilirubin. Conjugated bilirubin = Direct bilirubin. NJ - 3

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Neonatal Jaundice Visible form of bilirubinemia – Newborn skin >5 mg / dl Occurs in 60% of term and 80% of preterm neonates However, significant jaundice occurs in 6 % of term babies NJ - 5

Hb → globin + haem 1 g Hb = 34 mg bilirubin Non – heme source 1 mg / kg Bilirubin Ligandin (Y - acceptor) Bilirubin glucuronidase Intestine Bil glucuronide β glucuronidase bacteria Bilirubin metabolism Stercobilin NJ - 6

Bilirubin Production & Metabolism NJ - 7

Clinical assessment of jaundice Area of body Face Upper trunk Lower trunk & thighs Arms and lower legs Palms & soles Bilirubin levels mg/dl (*17=umol) 4 -8 5 -12 8 -16 11 -18 > 15 NJ - 8

Physiological jaundice Characteristics Appears after 24 hours Maximum intensity by 4 th-5 th day in term & 7 th day in preterm Serum level less than 15 mg / dl Clinically not detectable after 14 days Disappears without any treatment Note: Baby should, however, be watched for worsening jaundice. NJ - 9

Why does physiological jaundice develop? Increased bilirubin load. Defective uptake from plasma. Defective conjugation. Decreased excretion. Increased entero-hepatic circulation. NJ - 10

Bilirubin level mg/dl Course of physiological jaundice 15 10 Term 5 1 14 2 3 4 5 6 10 Preterm 11 12 13 Age in Days NJ - 11

Pathological jaundice Appears within 24 hours of age Increase of bilirubin > 5 mg / dl / day Serum bilirubin > 15 mg / dl Jaundice persisting after 14 days Stool clay / white colored and urine staining clothes yellow Direct bilirubin> 2 mg / dl NJ - 12

Causes of jaundice Appearing within 24 hours of age Hemolytic disease : Rh, ABO Infections: TORCH, malaria, bacterial G 6 PD deficiency NJ - 13

Causes of jaundice Appearing between 24 -72 hours of life Physiological Sepsis Polycythemia Intraventricular hemorrhage Increased entero-hepatic circulation NJ - 14

Causes of jaundice After 72 hours of age Sepsis Cephalhaematoma Neonatal hepatitis Extra-hepatic biliary atresia Breast milk jaundice Metabolic disorders (G 6 PD). NJ - 15

Risk factors for jaundice JAUNDICE J - jaundice within first 24 hrs of life A - a sibling who was jaundiced as neonate U - unrecognized hemolysis N – non-optimal sucking/nursing D - deficiency of G 6 PD I - infection C – cephalhematoma /bruising E - East Asian/North Indian NJ - 16

Diagnostic evaluation: Normal values of unconjugated B. are 0. 2 to 1. 4 mg/d. L. Investigate the cause of jaundice. NJ - 17

Therapeutic Management Purposes: reduce level of serum bilirubin and prevent bilirubin toxicity Prevention of hyperbilirubinemia: early feeds, adequate hydration Reduction of bilirubin levels: phototherapy, exchange transfusion, Drugs Use of Phenobarbital promote liver enzymes and protein synthesis. NJ - 18

Babies under phototherapy Baby under conventional phototherapy Baby under triple unit intense phototherapy

Prognosis Early recognition and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia prevents severe brain damage. NJ - 21

Nursing considerations of Hyperbilirubinemia Assessment: v observing for evidence of jaundice at regular intervals. v Jaundice is common in the first week of life and may be missed in dark skinned babies Blanching the tip of the nose NJ - 22

Approach to jaundiced baby Ascertain birth weight, gestation and postnatal age Ask when jaundice was first noticed Assess clinical condition (well or ill) Decide whether jaundice is physiological or pathological Look for evidence of kernicterus* in deeply jaundiced NB *Lethargy and poor feeding, poor or absent Moro's, or convulsions NJ - 23

Nursing diagnosis See the high risk infant plan of care. Plus: Ø Body T. , risk for imbalanced T. related to use of phototherapy. Ø Fluid volume, risk for deficient related to phototherapy. Ø Interrupted family process related to situational crisis, re hospitalization for therapy. NJ - 24

The goals of planning Infant will receive appropriate therapy if needed to reduce serum bilirubin levels. o Infant will experience no complications from therapy. o Family will receive emotional support. o Family will be prepared for home phototherapy (if prescribed). NJ - 25

QUESTIONS? NJ - 26