Neonatal jaundice is a clinical manifestation of elevated total serum bilirubin, termed neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, which results from bilirubin that is deposited into an infant’s skin. The characteristic features of neonatal jaundice include yellowish skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. Neonatal jaundice is usually a mild, transient, and self-limiting condition known as physiologic jaundice. However, this should be distinguished from the more severe pathologic jaundice. The two types of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. In most neonates, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is the cause of clinical jaundice. However, some infants have conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, which is always pathologic and signifies an underlying medical or surgical etiology. Failure to identify and treat pathologic jaundice may result in bilirubin encephalopathy and associated neurological sequelae.When neonatal jaundice is clinically identified, the underlying etiology of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia must be determined. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is diagnosed by assessing bilirubin levels with a transcutaneous measurement device or blood samples for total serum bilirubin. Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia is typically diagnosed through laboratory studies, including serum aminotransferase, prothrombin time, urine cultures, tests for inborn errors of metabolism, and, in some cases, imaging studies. Phototherapy and exchange transfusions are the mainstays of treatment of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, and a subset of patients also respond to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Treatment of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia is more complex and depends on the etiology of the jaundice. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner’s competence when managing neonatal jaundice, equipping them with updated knowledge, skills, and strategies for timely identification, effective interventions, and improved interprofessional coordination of care, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced morbidity.
- Provider:StatPearls, LLC
- Activity Link: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/23803
- Start Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 2.0 hours
Nursing: 2.0 hours
Pharmacy: 2.0 hours - MOC Credit Details: ABS - 2.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABS)
ABPATH - 2.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABPATH)
ABS - 2.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABS)
ABP - 2.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (ABP) - Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Knowledge, Learner/Team Competence
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all
- Specialty: All Practice Areas (e.g. ethics), General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Hospital Medicine, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology