Elevated bilirubin levels in newborns: causes, consequences, treatment. Level of bilirubin in the blood in newborns and children up to one year: norms, reasons for increased and decreased levels

A newborn baby’s body contains a huge number of various enzymes, one of which is bilirubin. It occurs in the body during the breakdown of red blood cells that have completed their function - i.e. destroyed pathogenic bacteria. Eventually, a yellowish-green substance called bilirubin is eliminated from the body naturally along with feces or urine.

The formation of this enzyme occurs in the liver, and in newborns the level of bilirubin in the body is often elevated. However, in most cases this does not pose a threat to the life and health of the child.

Reasons for increased bilirubin in the baby’s blood

If the level of this enzyme in the blood goes off scale, then most often this is a consequence of temporary liver problems, which, after the baby was born, has not yet returned to its usual mode of operation. In such cases, children are diagnosed with postpartum jaundice, which, as a rule, does not require any treatment and goes away within a few weeks. However, all this time the baby is in the hospital under the supervision of doctors who regularly check the level of bilirubin in his blood. This is done in order to completely eliminate the likelihood of developing a disease such as liver dysfunction, in which the newborn will require serious and long-term treatment.

Norms for bilirubin levels in the blood of newborns

The concentration of this enzyme in the baby's blood changes throughout the formation of the fetus. Tests to determine its level in the baby’s body are carried out 3-4 days after birth. This time is quite enough for the liver to start working as usual, although in about a quarter of newborns it begins to cope with its functions only 10-12 days after the birth of the child. One way or another, if the baby was born at term, then the level of bilirubin in his blood should not exceed 256 µmol/l. For premature babies, this figure is slightly lower and amounts to 171 µmol/l.

A slight excess of these indicators indicates the so-called postpartum jaundice, which is expressed in the form of pigmentation of the baby’s skin and a change in the color of stool, which acquires a greenish-yellow tint. If the deviation from the norm is 10 percent or more, the baby needs urgent health care, since a high level of bilirubin indicates pathological changes in the liver.

What is dangerous about increased levels of bilirubin in the blood of newborns?

It should be borne in mind that bilirubin itself is quite toxic, so its excess in the body of a newborn in the first days of life can lead to the development of a disease such as bilirubin encephalopathy. This means damage to the liver and spleen, as well as the child’s brain, which manifests itself in inhibition of reflexes, and primarily sucking. In addition, the baby develops increased drowsiness, seizures appear, hearing problems are possible and blood pressure. If measures are not taken and qualified assistance is not provided to the newborn, then within a few months irreversible processes may begin in the body, which lead to paralysis and the development of mental retardation in the baby.

What to do if there is increased bilirubin in a newborn?

If we're talking about about ordinary jaundice, then the child is simply in the hospital under the supervision of doctors who monitor the level of bilirubin in his blood and can resort to adjusting the indicators by warming the child ultraviolet lamps. The thing is that ultraviolet light converts toxic bilirubin into non-toxic, which reduces the degree of damage internal organs. When it comes to a serious pathology, in this case the newborn is prescribed long-term drug treatment using choleretic drugs and vitamins.

Bilirubin in newborns is always under the close attention of neonatologists. If his indicators long time do not return to normal, this indicates pathological processes in organism.

Bilirubin is a pigment produced by the spleen and bone marrow after the breakdown of red blood cells in the blood. Exceeding its levels poisons the body, as a result of which babies develop jaundice. Therefore, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the level of bilirubin in the blood of newborns in order to understand when there is cause for concern.

Doctors usually divide bilirubin into two types. Let's see what their differences are:

The body excretes direct bilirubin in feces and urine. It received its name in connection with the method of its identification. In laboratory studies, Ehrlich's diazo reagent is added directly to the blood.
The indirect (unconjugated) pigment interacts with albumin and enters the liver. Then in this organ it transforms into type 1 and is excreted in the same way. This type of pigment does not dissolve in water, so when laboratory research requires the use of additional reagents.

When an infant's bilirubin is elevated during the first days of life, this is not a cause for concern. However, there are parameters for normal indicators relative to the age of the child. Therefore, specialists often conduct tests to monitor bilirubin surges.

What tests need to be taken?

The first studies are carried out immediately after birth. Blood for testing can be taken from the umbilical cord. In premature babies, a repeat examination is carried out the next day. Pigment levels are then monitored every 24 hours.

With physiological jaundice (discoloration of the sclera and skin) blood for analysis is taken from a vein located on the head. The procedure is safe and painless for the baby, so parents should not worry.

In the absence of signs of physiological jaundice, babies undergo bilitest (bloodless method). The principle of operation is based on the fact that a special photocell in the device records the baby’s skin tone. The device immediately determines the total volume of pigment.

For children with elevated bilirubin levels, blood is taken for analysis daily during the entire stay in the maternity hospital or, if necessary, throughout the entire treatment. Subsequent monitoring is carried out in the clinic every month. Blood is taken from a vein in the arm or head.

Norm

Based on the daily bilirubin norm in newborns, the specialist determines how well the baby’s body adapts to independent life. Attention is paid not only to the overall figure, but also to the ratio of direct and indirect pigment in the blood.

Normally, a newborn should have a reading of 50-60 µmol/l. If the baby is premature, then the numbers in the analysis results range from 71.8-106 µmol/l. Consider the table normal indicators by days:

Age	General		Straight		Indirect
	mg%	µmol/l	mg%	µmol/l	mg%	µmol/l
1 day	1,35	23,1	0,51	8,7	0,84	14,4
Day 2	3,17	54,2	0,51	8,7	2,66	45,5
4 days	5,27	90,1	0,46	7,9	4,82	82,3
Day 6	4,21	72,0	0,51	8,7	3,70	63,3
9 days	3,1	53,0	0,51	8,7	2,59	44,3

It is worth noting that on the third day in newborns, bilirubin often reaches its maximum level (255 µmol/l). This figure is considered the upper level of normal. Exceeding the indicators indicates the development of a pathological process (jaundice). If the course is favorable, the numbers return to normal by the end of the first week.

In the future, jumps in the concentration of pigment in the blood may still be observed. By the third week general indicator should be 8.6-20 µmol/l.

Normal bilirubin level one month old baby is 8.4-20.5 µmol/l. Exceeding the numbers is a reason to start therapy. A general indicator of 300 µmol/l is considered especially critical. In this case, immediate hospitalization is required.

With timely assistance, by the second month the indicator returns to normal (3.4 µmol/l). Then it needs to be brought under control. From this age until one year upper limit should not exceed 20.5 µmol/l.

Causes of high bilirubin

Doctors have identified several factors that provoke an increase in bilirubin levels in newborns. Let's look at them:

Imbalance in liver functioning caused by various hereditary pathologies. This reason is considered the most dangerous, since the diseases pose a threat to the baby’s life.
Too rapid breakdown of red blood cells due to defects in intrauterine development or acquired after birth.
Malfunctions of the biliary tract. As a result, the pigment, instead of being excreted by the body, is injected into the blood.
Difficult pregnancy and...

It is not uncommon for bilirubin levels to increase in children born to a mother with diabetes.

What is the danger?

If a child’s bilirubin goes through the roof and does not return to normal for a long time, this affects the entire body. The nervous system and brain are primarily affected. The danger is that the accumulation of pigment in these areas provokes cell death. In the future, this condition can cause many pathologies:

the sucking reflex fades away;
drowsiness, lethargy;
kernicterus (leads to severe intoxication, up to death);
decreased vision;
hearing loss;
deviations in mental development;
increase in the size of the liver and spleen;
restless behavior;
convulsions;
mental illness.

Dangerous high rate pigment also due to the fact that the baby may develop hypotension.

Treatment

If a child’s pigment level is too high, this is not a reason to panic. It is important to consult with a specialist, monitor the indicator and strictly adhere to all doctor’s recommendations. IN modern medicine There are several effective ways to treat this pathology:

Phototherapy involves placing the child under ultraviolet radiation special lamps. At the moment of exposure to the body, the pigment is transformed into a non-toxic substance that can dissolve in water. After this transformation, the pigment is excreted by the body naturally. With a decrease in bilirubin in the blood, it is possible to prevent intoxication of the baby’s body and the development of complications.
Breastfeeding immediately after the baby is born allows him to receive the most valuable drops of colostrum. It promotes rapid adaptation gastrointestinal tract to independent life, quick deliverance from meconium. Most importantly, colostrum prevents intoxication of the body after injection of bilirubin into the blood.
A special mother's diet allows her to relieve the baby's liver and reduce bilirubin during feeding. breast milk. It is practically no different from the diet of all women during lactation. It must contain food rich useful microelements and vitamins. In this case, it is necessary to exclude harmful drinks and dishes (strong tea, coffee, alcohol, spicy, smoked food, canned food, whole milk, fast food). From the majority confectionery Citrus fruits should also be avoided.
Drug treatment often involves the use of sorbent and glucose. The use of these drugs is an auxiliary measure. Activated carbon, Smecta or Enterosgel is given to the child with drink, and glucose is given through a dropper and orally. In some cases, infantile jaundice is combated with the help of hepatoprotectors (Hofitol, Galstena). The duration of the course is determined individually. Typically, bilirubin levels in newborns quickly return to normal.
Blood transfusion is prescribed when serious pathologies(kernicterus). During the procedure, the majority of the child's red blood cells are removed. At the same time, replacement with non-hemolyzing fractions is carried out. The procedure also helps to quickly reduce intoxication in the body.

Prevention

As preventive measures, doctors recommend following all doctor’s instructions while carrying a child ( healthy eating, walks on fresh air, good rest). After birth, it is important to establish breast-feeding.

Many babies are diagnosed with physiological jaundice. As a rule, it passes without consequences, but sometimes it transforms into pathological form. In the maternity hospital, the level of bilirubin in the blood is strictly controlled, and if the newborn’s jaundice does not disappear by 2-4 weeks of life, then treatment is necessary.

This condition requires medical supervision. The diagnosis will be reported to parents after an analysis of the level of pigment in the blood or during an examination if the neonatologist notices an unnatural yellowness of the skin.

Measurement of bilirubin in a newborn

What is bilirubin?

Bile pigment is formed from the breakdown products of red blood cells, participates in metabolism and is closely related to the functioning of internal organs. There is another, fetal red blood pigment in the fetus's body. When the baby takes his first breath, hemoglobin breaks down and forms bilirubin, so in all newborns this coefficient is increased, which is considered normal.

WITH big amount bilirubin, the newborn’s organs are sometimes unable to cope, in which case they speak of pathological jaundice. The baby has yellow First, the face and neck are painted, then the rest of the body. This condition does not bother the baby; only a very high bilirubin content threatens severe brain intoxication.

Direct, indirect and total bilirubin

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In the study of bilirubin, three indicators should be noted: total, direct and indirect, the relationship between them is indicated. In the body, there are actually direct and indirect bilirubin, and the total indicator sums up the first two. Direct bilirubin is non-toxic, soluble and is easily excreted from the body naturally.

Indirect bilirubin combines with fats, it is toxic and accumulates in tissues. To remove it, you need to convert the substance using gastric enzymes into direct bilirubin. This approach is necessary when the function of the liver to process waste is impaired. direct bilirubin.

Usually most makes up indirect bilirubin. Normally, its indicator is 75% of the total. For a newly born child, this ratio is different. In the first few days of life, bilirubin is always indirect. It is present in the child’s blood and does not come out on its own; special enzymes are needed to remove it, the activity of which is still low in the baby. When they appear, the enzymatic system will become more mature, and all the “bad” pigment will be removed.

Normally, after 2-4 weeks, physiological jaundice should go away; if this does not happen, they speak of pathological jaundice. The child is hospitalized in the neonatal pathology department. In mild cases, the baby is left to home treatment using a phototherapy apparatus.

Table of normal indicators in newborns

Bilirubin levels for full-term and premature babies differ. To understand what is normal for a particular age, let’s look at the table. Values are given in µmol/l.

Age	Norm of bilirubin for full-term babies	Norm of bilirubin for premature babies
24 hours	up to 85	up to 97
36 hours	up to 150	Up to 120
48 hours	up to 180	up to 150
3-5 days	up to 256	up to 171
6–7 days	up to 145	up to 145
8–9 days	up to 110	up to 97
10–11 days	up to 80	up to 50
12–13 days	up to 45	up to 35
More than 14 days	up to 20.5	before 18

A newborn's indicators will always be higher than those of a 1-month-old baby. Bilirubin becomes elevated 36 hours after birth - this is normal. By 2 weeks he is completely back to normal.

If reduction to normal level does not occur or the amount of the substance is significantly increased, this indicates prolonged jaundice. For example, if the reading is 300 µmol/l, you need to consult a doctor.

The second table shows the norms of bilirubin content by fraction:

Child's age	General	Connected	Free
Newborns	23,09	8,72	14,37
2 days	54,22	8,72	45,50
4 days	90,14	7,87	82,27
6 days	69,10	7,72	63,28
9 days	53,02	8,72	44,30
30 days	11,12	2,57	8,55

How is a bilirubin test done in infants?

Bilirubin is measured by taking blood from the umbilical cord, then a blood test is taken 2 days later. For premature babies, this procedure is repeated every day for a week. In children without pronounced signs of jaundice, the level of bilirubin is determined by a special device - a digital bilirubinometer. The procedure is painless, measurements are taken in the area of the forehead, chest and bridge of the nose.

The second way to determine how much bilirubin a baby has is a blood test. It is taken from the heel of a newborn with a special needle and should be taken on an empty stomach. A month later, the study is done again, blood is taken from a vein - this is a common practice for newborn children.

Bilirubin levels are determined from a newborn blood test

When stable increased rates the baby will be left for treatment in a hospital because he requires observation and therapy until full recovery, that is, reducing the pigment content in the blood to a normal level. The doctor at the hospital will order additional tests:

general blood analysis;
analysis for total, direct and indirect bilirubin;
Coombs test (for hemolysis);
a comprehensive blood test for liver and biliary tract diseases;
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
consultations with other specialists.

If, while already at home, parents discover disturbing symptoms, they should contact their pediatrician and get tested again. This is necessary when detecting:

drowsiness;
severe anxiety;
tachycardia;
enlarged liver and spleen (we recommend reading:);
the appearance of seizures;
maintaining jaundice.

If, upon discharge from the maternity hospital, the yellowness of the baby does not go away and other symptoms are added increased bilirubin, you must definitely contact your pediatrician

Increased pigment levels

The most common cause of high bilirubin levels is that the liver small child fails to cope with its task. This occurs due to decreased levels of enzyme activity.

The cause of late jaundice is mother's milk. This happens when it contains a lot of estrogens, which prevent the baby from removing bilirubin from the body.

Reasons for the increase

It is difficult to determine why bilirubin levels increase. There are suspected causes of physiological jaundice:

prematurity (although some babies born prematurely have even lower pigment levels);
infectious diseases of the mother during pregnancy;
maternal diabetes;
oxygen starvation of the baby during childbirth;
taking certain medications by a woman while carrying a baby.

All causes of increased bilirubin are indirect - for example, the bile pigment of a newborn can be influenced by the state of health of the mother during pregnancy

What causes the pathological form? There are different sources:

incompatibility of the blood type of mother and child;
Rhesus conflict;
hepatitis of the newborn;
disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
premature birth.

If the indicators are too high, nothing bothers the baby, he eats well, actively grows and develops. In this case, you can stop breastfeeding for 2-3 days, jaundice will go away herself. As a rule, no treatment is required, everything returns to normal by the 3rd month of life.

Consequences of high bilirubin

A significant and prolonged increase in the concentration of this pigment causes serious damage to health, especially the brain and nervous system. As a result, deviations arise in general development child, mental disorders, in extreme cases hearing and vision are lost.

High bilirubin in a newborn is very dangerous; it accumulates in the brain, affecting it. When critical intoxication occurs, nerve cells are dying.

There should absolutely be no self-medication; pathological jaundice in newborns should be treated only under medical supervision. All babies who have been exposed to high levels of bilirubin are registered with pediatric neurologist minimum 1 year.

Low bile pigment levels

Reasons for the decline

Low bilirubin is much less common than high bilirubin. For diagnosing the disease, cases when the coefficient is significantly reduced are important. To date, scientists have not fully studied the mechanisms that lead to a decrease in its concentration. However, the reasons for such indicators of the substance in the blood may be:

chronic malnutrition;
low hemoglobin level and low concentration of red blood cells(erythrocytes);
iron deficiency.

Often, low direct or indirect bilirubin is a violation of the blood test procedure. The results of the study may be affected by the use of certain medications, including antibiotics and ascorbic acid.

Reduced level bilirubin levels are diagnosed much less frequently than elevated

What does a low concentration in the blood indicate?

If a reduced concentration of pigment is found in the lymph, this means that very little of it is formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin. The condition of the body indicates that the patient has a decreased amount of hemoglobin, and the tissues do not receive enough oxygen. Sometimes the parameter speaks about diseases:

renal or liver failure in chronic form;
aplastic anemia;
acute leukemia;
tuberculosis;
various infectious diseases.

In adults reduced quantity enzyme may be due to stagnation of bile, so you can increase its content proper nutrition And motor activity. In children, therapy consists of identifying the causes and treating the disease that caused the decrease in the indicator. Folk remedies used only as an auxiliary, in parallel with the use of medications.

Therapy methods to reduce bilirubin levels

Physiological jaundice does not require special treatment- if the coefficient has increased, doctors recommend feeding the baby with breast milk, so he will quickly cope with excess bilirubin in the body. crumbs on artificial feeding need to receive drinking plenty of fluids. For pathological jaundice, a number of procedures are prescribed to reduce the content of toxic pigment in the blood.

Physiological jaundice goes away on its own if you follow correct mode baby sleep and nutrition

Phototherapy (quartz treatment)

The child is placed in a special ditch and put on protective glasses or cover the face with a diaper and expose it to intense light. Bilirubin accumulated in subcutaneous fat in newborns is destroyed by ultraviolet light. You will have to lie under such a lamp for several hours a day. The baby is taken away only for hygiene procedures and again placed in the cuvette.

Drug treatment

The medications are prescribed by the attending physician depending on the baby’s health condition. Usually prescribed:

enterosorbents (Smecta, Enterosgel) to remove excess bilirubin;
hepatoprotectors (Silibor, Essentiale) to cleanse toxins and restore liver function;
droppers to normalize electrolyte levels.

Infusion therapy

Infusion therapy ( intravenous administration glucose) is used in cases where the child does not drink enough fluid.

It is not a direct way to reduce bilirubin levels. Its purpose is to neutralize the toxic effects on the body and remove excess of this pigment.

Approximately 70% of newborns develop physiological jaundice. To prevent it from turning into a pathological form, which is dangerous to health, it is necessary to keep the level of bilirubin under control.

What is bilirubin

Bilirubin is an intermediate product of certain reactions in human body. It appears after the breakdown of hemoglobin in two parts: globin and heme. The process occurs when red blood cells age.

Heme particles are toxic, so the body wants to get rid of them. Thus, the particles are converted into bilirubin in order to be subsequently excreted.

A certain amount of bilirubin is normally present in the body of an adult, but in a newborn the level is significantly higher.

Increased level bilirubin can be:

a symptom of jaundice,
consequence of blockage bile ducts(for example, with a tumor),
consequence of a low-calorie diet.

Indirect, direct and total bilirubin

To determine the level of bilirubin in the blood, it is important to consider 3 indicators:

Straight
Indirect
General

It is important to know the percentages of all three indicators.

Free or direct bilirubin is insoluble and is not excreted from the body. Indirect bilirubin is processed by liver enzymes and leaves the body through feces and urine.

Most of the bilirubin is indirect substance– 75% of the total. Direct makes up 25% in the body. But in newborns during the first month of life, these ratios may be different.

Conversion into direct soluble bilirubin can occur in the liver under the influence of certain enzymes. The supply of “bad” bilirubin to the liver is carried out by special proteins called serum albumin.

These proteins are quantitatively lacking in the newborn’s body. After the child’s enzymatic system matures, the “bad” bilirubin will be processed and eliminated from the body.

Thus, the normal bilirubin level in a newly born baby is naturally elevated and remains at this level for about 2 to 4 weeks.

The problem is that not all jaundice in children is physiological. The process can transform into a pathological one very quickly if the bilirubin level is above the permissible threshold, or if there is a constant increase in it.

Pathological jaundice in children has the following features:

lasts longer than physiological
requires urgent treatment,
needs constant monitoring of bilirubin (every day).

Bilirubin norms in newborns

So, as it became known, bilirubin in children is always high. In adults and children, it is normally in the range of 8.5 - 20.5 µmol/l. However, in a newly born child, the concentration of the substance can be even more than 205 µmol/l.

The level of bilirubin in the blood of a recently born child changes almost every day, gradually decreasing. The norm for a one-week-old baby is considered to be 205 µmol/l, however, in premature babies this indicator below - 170 µmol/l).

In newborns, bilirubin increases 2-4 days after birth. Provided there are no negative factors, the level of the substance returns to normal within a month. At the end of the first month of life, the level reaches the “adult” level.

There are cases when the concentration of a substance in the blood continues to increase. High level represents for child's health serious threat. If the readings become higher than 256 µmol/l (and in a premature baby - 172 µmol/l), then it is necessary to urgently hospitalize the child in order to medical conditions reduce the level of the substance.

Causes of increased bilirubin in a newborn

An obvious question arises: why do some children experience physiological jaundice easily and without consequences, while other children suffer from pathological appearance jaundice, which requires surgery?

In severe form pathological jaundice flows in the background rapid growth bilirubin (more than 85 µmol/l per day). In addition, pathological jaundice is different:

Spread of yellowness below the baby's navel, as well as on the feet and palms,
Depression or extreme excitability of the child,
Staining stool White color, darkening of urine.

Factors that develop childhood bilirubinemia can be:

difficult pregnancy and complications,
maternal illnesses, such as diabetes mellitus,
taking certain medications while pregnant,
prematurity of the child,
intrauterine hypoxia (lack of oxygen),
fetal suffocation (asphyxia).

In addition, the consequences of pathological jaundice in a child may be as follows:

liver infection,
blood incompatibility between mother and child,
obstructive jaundice,
intestinal obstruction,
various hormonal disorders,
Gilbert's syndrome and other disorders of the child's liver,
deformation of red blood cells for genetic reasons.

A critical condition can be prevented if the yellowing of the child is noticed in time.

In general, the child’s health is negatively affected a large number of bilirubin. Abnormal concentration primarily affects nervous system and brain.

The danger is that the substance accumulates and causes serious intoxication, resulting in death. nerve endings, brain cells, and other serious consequences may occur.

This may result in the following violations in the future:

mental disorders,
hearing loss,
mental retardation,
loss of vision,
other deviations.

Therefore, the child’s bilirubin level should be monitored by a doctor. If during the examination the pediatrician suspects that the child is developing jaundice, he will immediately refer him to a study of bilirubin and its fraction.

Urgent medical attention is required if a child with jaundice develops the following symptoms:

drowsiness, obvious lethargy,
decreased sucking reflex,
tics, anxiety, convulsions,
increase in the size of the spleen and liver,
lowering blood pressure.

Only pathological jaundice requires treatment. The physiological type of jaundice goes away on its own and is not dangerous to humans.

Most effective method treatment of bilirubinemia - treatment with light rays. But the method is used less and less often, and children are treated with toxic medicines. So if your child is not eligible for light therapy, it may be worth finding out why.

It is important to be prepared for the fact that the child’s hair will begin to fall out or the skin will peel off due to radiation. No need to be scared after finishing treatment course, all unpleasant phenomena will pass on their own. It is necessary to put the baby to the breast more often and treat his skin with moisturizers.

Phototherapy or quartz treatment gives results only in the first days after the birth of the child. If jaundice is in neglected form, then without drug treatment can't get by.

It is extremely important to always read all instructions carefully. medical drugs prescribed by a doctor. Many of them are not so harmless and have serious side effects and contraindications. It is worth finding a doctor for your child whom you can trust in these important matters.

Breastfeeding, especially colostrum, is of great help in the treatment of bilirubinemia. It is necessary to breastfeed the baby, this helps to quickly remove toxins from his body and protects him from potential diseases.

vitamin C,
glucose,

One of the special conditions during the newborn period is jaundice. It occurs in most children, and in order to distinguish its normal course from pathology, children undergo a bilirubin test.

Neonatal jaundice occurs in the first days after birth. It can be called as physiological reasons, the immaturity of special enzyme systems that process bilirubin, as well as various congenital pathologies and diseases. To figure out whether the child needs treatment or whether the jaundice will go away on its own, a special test for bilirubin in newborns is often prescribed. This is a special blood test that determines the level of bilirubin of several types - total, direct and indirect.

Total bilirubin in the analysis reflects the total amount of this substance in the blood; at the time of birth, its level should be about 50-60 µmol/l. At the same time, there should be little direct bilirubin, which is not associated with blood components, as it is harmful to the body. After a few days, the level of bilirubin may increase - this is the active destruction of “infant” (fetal) hemoglobin, from which bilirubin is formed. In this regard, the norms of bilirubin in the blood increase to 200-205 µmol/l for a child if he was born full-term. For premature babies, bilirubin is more dangerous; their norms are up to 170 µmol/l. Gradually, over two to three weeks, the bilirubin level should decrease to normal - from 8 to 20 µmol/l.

When conducting a blood test for bilirubin in newborns, the level of bilirubin in the blood is assessed, as well as its division into direct and indirect in a quantitative ratio. If the bilirubin level is elevated, the child requires special monitoring and treatment. Excess bilirubin must be quickly removed from the body so that it does not harm the baby.

Excess bilirubin not only turns the skin yellow, but also has a toxic effect on brain tissue and internal organs.

For rapid diagnosis, a special test for bilirubin in newborns can be performed in the maternity hospital using a device that measures the level of bilirubin on the skin. The amount of bilirubin is determined by the degree of staining of the skin. This is especially important when there is no time to wait for analysis results.

How to take a bilirubin test in newborns

Often, when such a study is prescribed, the question arises about how to donate blood for bilirubin in newborns. In adults, all blood tests are taken on an empty stomach, but in infants this is not important; the child cannot fast for a long time. Therefore, children are tested at any time of the day, if necessary. How is blood taken for bilirubin in newborns? For analysis you need deoxygenated blood in an amount of 3-5 ml. It is processed in a special way, and the levels of bilirubin in the blood plasma are determined. Where is blood taken for bilirubin in newborns? Typically, blood is drawn from a vein on the baby's scalp. They are located closest to the skin and are quite large. There is no need to worry about where the test for bilirubin in newborns comes from. The procedure is not painful and safe for the baby; blood is drawn by experienced nurses. The needle for collecting blood is thin and after the analysis only a small puncture wound remains on the skin.

It is also worth mentioning how a test for bilirubin is taken in newborns using a machine. To do this, you do not need to draw blood or pierce the skin, and the analysis is carried out instantly. A special device with a sensor is brought to the skin, it analyzes the color of the skin and shows the bilirubin value on the display.