Icteric Index in the Newborn

Abstract

Summary1. The icteric index determined by the water and acetone methods gave equal values in a series of 49 normal cord bloods and 50 normal new-born infants. 2. Hyperbilirubinemia was present in all but one of the cord bloods and 2 of the new-born infants. 3. All specimens gave a negative direct van den Bergh reaction even when the sera showed marked hyperbilirubinemia. 4. In several cases of congenital hemolytic icterus the same findings were present: the direct van den Bergh was negative and the icteric index gave the same values by both the water and acetone methods. 5. These methods may be used to differentiate hemolytic icterus from other types of icterus. The results support the hemolytic theory of icterus neonatorum.