A study of prolonged jaundice screen in healthy term babies

Abstract

Prolonged jaundice in most of the term babies is associated with breast milk but in some cases it can be a marker for a range of hepatobiliary, hematological, metabolic, endocrine, infectious and genetic disorders that are associated with significant mortality and morbidity if not diagnosed in time. A diagnosis of conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia warrants urgent investigation. Protocols for investigating prolonged jaundice screen vary in complexity and the yield from screen has not been assessed. In order to address these issues, we carried out a study on healthy term babies referred to our day unit with prolonged jaundice. Infants were examined by pediatrician and investigations done as per unit protocol. Prolonged jaundice screen was found to be helpful in excluding biliary atresia and to support the diagnosis of breast milk jaundice. Present study concluded that negative prolonged jaundice screen is reassuring in healthy term babies and further investigations are unwarranted unless otherwise specified.