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While neonatal cholestasis refers to conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in newborn infants, there are many pathologic processes that can cause this to occur. Any anatomic disturbance or obstruction in the hepatobiliary tract can cause elevated levels of conjugated bilirubin. [1] Some of the causes of neonatal cholestasis are listed below:
[5] [6] Quick and accurate treatment of neonatal jaundice helps to reduce the risk of neonates developing kernicterus. [7] Infants with kernicterus may have a fever [8] or seizures. [9] High pitched crying is an effect of kernicterus. [citation needed] Exchange transfusions performed to lower high bilirubin levels are an aggressive treatment. [10]
Isoimmunization occurs when the maternal immune system is sensitized to red blood cell surface antigens. The most common causes of isoimmunization are blood transfusion, and fetal-maternal hemorrhage. [16] The hemolytic process can result in anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal thrombocytopenia, and neonatal neutropenia. [5]
If the bilirubin level is sufficiently high as to cause worry, it can be lowered via phototherapy in the first instance or an exchange transfusion if severely elevated. [citation needed] Phototherapy - Phototherapy is used for cord bilirubin of 3 or higher. Some doctors use it at lower levels while awaiting lab results. [19]
Isoimmunization occurs when the maternal immune system is sensitized to red blood cell surface antigens. The most common causes of isoimmunization are blood transfusion, and fetal-maternal hemorrhage. [13] The hemolytic process can result in anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal thrombocytopenia, and neonatal neutropenia. [7]
The infant with neonatal hepatitis usually has jaundice that appears at one to two months of age, is not gaining weight and growing normally, and has an enlarged liver and spleen. Infants with this condition are usually jaundiced. Jaundice that is caused by neonatal hepatitis is not the same as physiologic neonatal jaundice. In contrast with ...
The common cause is congenital, but it can also be caused by maternal steroids passed on through breast milk to the newborn. It is different from breast feeding-associated jaundice (breast-fed infants have higher bilirubin levels than formula-fed ones).
As high biliverdin levels are usually related to bilirubinemia, tin mesoporphyrin has been found to aid in treatment and prevention of this, primarily in newborn infants. Tin mesoporphyrin competitively inhibits the heme oxygenase enzyme, which prevents the breakdown of heme to biliverdin leading to accumulation of heme and not bilirubin.