title: The Preterm Infant: A High-Risk Situation for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia Due to Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency.
abstract: Prematurity and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are risk factors for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The 2 conditions may interact additively or synergistically, contributing to extreme hyperbilirubinemia, with the potential for bilirubin neurotoxicity. This hyperbilirubinemia is the result of sudden, unpredictable, and acute episodes of hemolysis in combination with immaturity of bilirubin elimination, primarily of conjugation. Avoidance of contact with known triggers of hemolysis in G6PD-deficient individuals will prevent some, but not all, episodes of hemolysis. All preterm infants with G6PD deficiency should be vigilantly observed for the development of jaundice both in hospital and after discharge home.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102 Israel; Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, PO Box 3235, Jerusalem 91031, Israel. Electronic address: mkaplan@mail.huji.ac.il.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102 Israel; Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, PO Box 3235, Jerusalem 91031, Israel.
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hammerman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 750 Welch Road, Suite 315, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Vinod K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Bhutani
mesh_terms: D005955:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D051556:Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007647:Kernicterus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Bilirubin conjugation; Bilirubin encephalopathy; Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; Hemolysis; Hyperbilirubinemia; Kernicterus; Prematurity