title: Hyperbilirubinemia.
abstract: Hyperbilirubinemia is the most common condition requiring evaluation and treatment in newborns. The clinical manifestation of hyperbilirubinemia-jaundice-occurs in 60% of normal newborns and nearly all preterm infants. Compared with conditions that require advanced pharmacologic and technologic treatment strategies, hyperbilirubinemia seems to be overshadowed and may lose the attention it deserves as a condition that has potentially devastating effects. Nurses must be vigilant when caring for babies with "just jaundice" by monitoring bilirubin levels, identifying infants at risk for developing severe hyperbilirubinemia, and implementing prescribed treatment effectively when indicated.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal/Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509, USA. rowatson@dhs.lacounty.gov
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D001663:Bilirubin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects; D005078:Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D051556:Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods; D007647:Kernicterus / Q000209:etiology; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D001663:Bilirubin