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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Cause Of Increase Of Bilirubin Level In A Child?

"My baby girl is 9 days old. She was under bili lights for 2 days Her going in level was 19. (bilirubin level), the next day it was 20. The last night it was 14 and again tested today morning it is up to 19! What could be causing it?What could this mean for her
Wed, 8 Apr 2015
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Pediatrician,  's  Response
Before birth, the fetus has a higher hemoglobin level as compared to the mother, so that she can extract oxygen from the mother's blood. This extra hemoglobin is no longer required after birth. Bilirubin is a hemoglobin break down product and therefore produced in increased in increased amounts after birth. However, in case of some mismatch between the blood group of the mother and child's blood (ABO or Rh incompatibility), hemolysis may be triggered leading to increased bilirubin levels. So, this condition needs to be checked for. Another thing that could cause increased bilirubin levels is a child of this age, is lack of adequate feeds, giving rise to what we refer to as breast milk jaundice which occurs due to dehydration. Increased amount of feeding along with phototherapy is right to be given. If the bilirubin levels rise even higher, exchange transfusion might be required. But usually the condition resolves with phototherapy and the child is expected to be well soon after.

It is normal for the bilirub
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What Is The Cause Of Increase Of Bilirubin Level In A Child?

Before birth, the fetus has a higher hemoglobin level as compared to the mother, so that she can extract oxygen from the mother s blood. This extra hemoglobin is no longer required after birth. Bilirubin is a hemoglobin break down product and therefore produced in increased in increased amounts after birth. However, in case of some mismatch between the blood group of the mother and child s blood (ABO or Rh incompatibility), hemolysis may be triggered leading to increased bilirubin levels. So, this condition needs to be checked for. Another thing that could cause increased bilirubin levels is a child of this age, is lack of adequate feeds, giving rise to what we refer to as breast milk jaundice which occurs due to dehydration. Increased amount of feeding along with phototherapy is right to be given. If the bilirubin levels rise even higher, exchange transfusion might be required. But usually the condition resolves with phototherapy and the child is expected to be well soon after. It is normal for the bilirub