ASPECTS OF BILIRUBIN METABOLISM—BEFORE AND AFTER BIRTH

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
INTEREST in hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant has, over many years, resulted in the accumulation of a considerable amount of information. However it is only recently that advances in knowledge of the biochemistry involved have permitted bringing together the many clinical and laboratory observations into a meaningful picture. There are still important gaps in our knowledge, permitting some speculation and inviting further investigations, but many of the major features are now clear. Bilirubin has limited solubility in water but is easily soluble in organic solvents. Conjugation with glucuronic acid reverses these solubility characteristics. Transport of unconjugated bilirubin ("indirect" bilirubin) within the body is facilitated by binding with protein which increases its water solubility. To excrete bilirubin into proteinpoor aqueous media, such as urine or bile, it must first be conjugated to increase its water-solubility.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: