NEONATAL JAUNDICE: CLINICAL FEATURES, DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most frequently encountered clinical conditions in pediatrics, affecting up to 60% of term newborns and as many as 80% of preterm infants during the first week of life. It is primarily caused by elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin due to the immaturity of hepatic metabolism, increased red blood cell turnover, and limited excretory capacity in newborns. Although in the majority of cases jaundice is physiological and resolves spontaneously without long-term consequences, a considerable proportion of neonates may develop pathological hyperbilirubinemia. This form, which is characterized by early onset, prolonged duration, or rapid rise of serum bilirubin, can be a manifestation of hemolytic disease, sepsis, genetic enzyme deficiencies, or metabolic disorders. If unrecognized or untreated, severe hyperbilirubinemia can lead to life-threatening complications such as acute bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus, which are associated with irreversible neurological damage, cerebral palsy, sensorineural hearing loss, and even death.