Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 9, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Factors affecting plasma bilirubin in preterm infants ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome

D Kohelet1, M Goldberg, E Arbel

  • 1Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. kdavid@post.tau.ac.il

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|August 2, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Plasma bilirubin levels in preterm infants needing mechanical ventilation are multifactorial. Factors like intraventricular hemorrhage and nutrition significantly influence hyperbilirubinemia in these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Critical Care
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) often require mechanical ventilation.
  • Hyperbilirubinemia is a common complication in this vulnerable population.
  • Understanding factors contributing to elevated bilirubin is crucial for management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and quantify factors associated with plasma bilirubin levels in very low birth weight preterm infants.
  • To investigate the role of mechanical ventilation parameters, nutrition, and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in hyperbilirubinemia.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 50 very low birth weight (<1500 gm) preterm infants requiring mechanical ventilation was studied.
  • Plasma bilirubin levels were monitored every 8 hours for the first week.
  • Data on weight, fluid intake, feeding, caloric intake, IVH grade, and ventilation parameters were collected. A bilirubin index (BI) was calculated and analyzed using multiple linear regression.

Main Results:

  • Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) was a significant predictor of bilirubin index (BI), explaining 37.16% of variation.
  • Age at gavage feeding onset (43.71%), oxygenation index (48.99%), and gestational age (53.33%) also significantly contributed to BI variations.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperbilirubinemia in ventilated preterm infants is multifactorial.
  • Factors independent of RDS, such as nutrition and IVH, play a significant role in bilirubin level variations.
  • This highlights the need for comprehensive management strategies addressing multiple contributing factors.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Respiration01:24

Factors Affecting Respiration

Respiration is a crucial physiological function involving exchanging oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between an organism and its environment. Various factors can impact this essential process:
Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate01:20

Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate

Assessment of Ventilation
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation01:19

Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation

Besides the pressure difference between the external environment and the lungs, the airflow rate and ease of pulmonary ventilation are also influenced by three other factors: surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli, compliance of the lungs, and airway resistance.
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Acute Respiratory Failure-II01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-II

Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Jaundice01:25

Jaundice

Jaundice, or icterus, is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. It happens when plasma bilirubin levels rise above 2.5-3 mg/dL, leading to bilirubin deposition in tissue.Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation. In macrophages, hemoglobin breaks down into globin and heme. Globin is converted into amino acids, while heme is turned into biliverdin by heme oxygenase, which is then reduced to unconjugated bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.Unconjugated...