[Controversial aspects and rational bases of the treatment in neonatal jaundice]

High serum bilirubin levels (SBL), over 20-25 mg/dl are toxic for the Central Nervous System (CNS) of newborn infants. However, the possible toxicity on the CNS of "intermediate" SBL both in term and preterm neonates are still a matter of debate. An extensive review of the literature in this respect did not provide conclusive evidence for a dose-response pattern of toxicity for SBL 18-20 mg/dl in infants without hemolysis and/or other risk factors (such as extreme prematurity, hypoxia, hypercapnia, acidosis, sepsis, hyperosmolarity, etc.). Therefore, an aggressive approach to the treatment and/or prophylaxis of neonatal jaundice when SBL are below 20 or even 25 mg/dl is not justified on the basis of the present knowledge. This is particularly true when treatment includes phototherapy and/or exchange-transfusion which are associated with clinically significant complications and side effects. Guidelines for treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in full-term and preterm infants, with and without added complications and/or risk factors, are provided in the attempt of encouraging a more critical approach to neonatal jaundice, which is coherent with the data available in the literature and which should optimize the risk/benefit ratio.