What Is Hyperbilirubinemia?

Hyperbilirubinemia is the diagnosis given when the body has too much bilirubin in the blood and other tissues of the body. Bilirubin is formed in the body when red blood cells break down. Depending on what is causing the hyperbilirubinemia, it may appear at birth or at any time in a person's life. Yellowing of the skin, or jaundice, is a common sign of hyperbilirubinemia.

Causes in Infants

Newborns can have hyperbilirubinemia simply because their bodies are unable to excrete the bilirubin fast enough during their first few days of life. A baby may also get what is called breast milk jaundice. This is when an infant gets hyperbilirubinemia after its first week of life. This is usually a result of the infant being dehydrated or having a low calorie intake. Rh disease can also cause hyperbilirubinemia, as can bleeding and having too many red blood cells. A baby that has inadequate liver function due to a health condition or an infection may also develop hyperbilirubinemia. Infants that are born to diabetic mothers are also more likely to develop the condition.

Causes in Adults

While hyperbilirubinemia is more common in babies, adults can develop the condition for any number of reasons. These include having infections such as hepatitis A, B, and C, autoimmune disorders, chronically using alcohol, having liver and pancreas problems/disorders and more.

Diagnosis/Treatment

Red blood cell counts can help doctors diagnose hyperbilirubinemia, as well as blood typing and testing for Rh incompatibility, which is known as the Coomb's Test. Treatment can include phototherapy which involves exposing the skin to special blue spectrum lights or placing a fiberoptic blanket beneath the individual. The lights and blanket may be used separately or in combination with each other. If the condition is caused by an underlying condition it will be treated. Infants who have breast milk jaundice will need to cease from breastfeeding and take formula for approximately two days so the baby's bilirubin level can lower.

Concerns

When large amounts of bilirubin circulate in the body they can go the brain. This can lead to a condition called kernicterus and it can cause seizures and brain damage. For this reason, parents should carefully monitor their newborn's skin, particularly after they take their new baby home, and look for yellowing. Yellowing of the skin is the common symptom of hyperbilirubinemia. It generally begins on the face and then moves downward on the body. Babies may also seem lethargic and have trouble feeding.

Prevention

There is no way to completely prevent hyperbilirubinemia. However, recognizing it and getting treatment as soon as possible can go far in keeping the condition from becoming dangerous. Women who have their babies at home should have their baby's checked by a pediatrician the day of birth.