Neonatal jaundice in ‘healthy’ very low birthweight infants

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Abstract
The daily bilirubin levels during the first week of life in 94 premature very low birthweight (VLBW, < 1500 g) relatively ''healthy'' infants were determined. Mean daily bilirubin values peaked on the fourth day of life at 188.1 .mu.mol/l (s.e.m. = 5.3). Twenty-eight infants developed hyperbilirubinaemia (bilirubin > 260 .mu.mol/l) at which time they were exposed to phototherapy. When individual peak bilirubin values were evaluated, the overall peak value was 213.9 .mu.mol/l (s.e.m. = 5.1) occurring at 4.81 days (s.e.m. = 0.11), although the value is most likely an underestimate, since the 28 pre-phototherapy values were not truly peak values. Seventy-six (81%) infants experienced bilirubin levels > 170 .mu.mol/l. The method of delivery apparently had no impact on the bilirubin levels. All the infants remained well and progressed satisfactorily. ''Healthy'' VLBW infants experience a much greater incidence and severity of neonatal jaundice than mature infants with the same clinical status.