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Related Concept Videos

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...
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
07:27

How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children

Published on: August 19, 2020

A practical approach to neonatal jaundice.

Sarah K Moerschel1, Lauren B Cianciaruso, Lloyd R Tracy

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Eastern Division of West Virginia University, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, USA. moerschels@rcbhsc.wvu.edu

American Family Physician
|June 11, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Prevent severe newborn jaundice and kernicterus with early detection and intervention. Key strategies include ensuring adequate infant feeding and monitoring bilirubin levels to guide timely phototherapy and follow-up care.

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Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes
07:54

Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes

Published on: June 5, 2014

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Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
07:27

How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children

Published on: August 19, 2020

Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes
07:54

Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes

Published on: June 5, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can lead to kernicterus and preventable neurologic sequelae.
  • Effective management of infant jaundice is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline a structured approach for identifying and managing neonatal jaundice.
  • To emphasize primary and secondary prevention strategies for severe hyperbilirubinemia.

Main Methods:

  • Promoting adequate feeding practices for all newborns, particularly breastfed infants (8-12 feedings/24 hours).
  • Implementing vigilant monitoring of neonatal jaundice and identifying high-risk infants.
  • Utilizing nomograms to plot bilirubin levels against infant age in hours for risk stratification and guiding follow-up.
  • Employing bilirubin nomograms to determine the need for and timing of phototherapy.

Main Results:

  • A structured approach can decrease rates of morbidity and mortality associated with severe hyperbilirubinemia.
  • Routine monitoring of total serum bilirubin or transcutaneous bilirubin levels is essential.
  • Risk zones and factors guide postdischarge follow-up and phototherapy initiation.

Conclusions:

  • Kernicterus and associated neurologic deficits are preventable through proactive identification and management of neonatal jaundice.
  • Timely outpatient follow-up (24-72 hours post-discharge) is critical for at-risk infants.
  • Further investigation is warranted for infants requiring phototherapy or exhibiting rapidly rising bilirubin levels.