Long term effects of Hyperbili

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

I was looking at photos of my former 36 weeker last night and was startled at how orange she really was when she came home.She was sent home with a bili of 15 DOL 5, she was about 3400 gm. I was instructed to lay her in the sun and she had daily bili checks for 3 days. She peaked at 18 and then came down.

She has all sorts of learning problems and I was wondering if it was related. If she had Kernicturus and needed and exchange transfusion I'd think no doubt.But are there long term effects from hyperbilirubinemia?

[Jolie, BSN]

I was looking at photos of my former 36 weeker last night and was startled at how orange she really was when she came home.She was sent home with a bili of 15 DOL 5, she was about 3400 gm. I was instructed to lay her in the sun and she had daily bili checks for 3 days. She peaked at 18 and then came down.

She has all sorts of learning problems and I was wondering if it was related. If she had Kernicturus and needed and exchange transfusion I'd think no doubt.But are there long term effects from hyperbilirubinemia?

Dawn,

I've often wondered the same thing. My oldest was 37 weeks and was significantly jaundiced when she was DC'd home. The jerk pediatrician I was using at the time refused to check a bili in the hospital, and refused again the next day when I had a home care visit. It wasn't until day 3 of life, when I called the office and raised he** that he finally ordered one. It was 18+, (my daughter weighed 6lbs.) He never treated or repeated the bili. She was breastfed, which of course, added to her jaundice, and I have pictures of her at 6 months of age still looking unnaturally tan. She doesn't seem to have any learning problems, but I wonder what effects prolonged jaundice may have had on her.

My youngest was 36 weeks, just under 6 lbs., and her bili of 18+ was treated with home phototherapy and diligent follow-up by our new pediatrician. She was also breastfed, and remained yellow for months, long after her bili fell out of the "danger zone". She is very bright and does well in school, but has some behavior issues that have required counseling.

I had resistent preterm labor with both pregnancies, so both girls were exposed to a multitude of drugs (Terbutaline, MgSO4, Indocin, Procardia, Phenergan, Beta-methasone, antibiotics) prenatally. I have often wondered what effect these have had, as well.

I would love to be part of a study of the effects of these drugs and treatments, as a way of helping out future preemies and parents.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

Funny thing is I worked in the Well Baby Nursery this week and I had to light 2 kids, DOL 3, with bilis around 14! All term!

I don't know. I just wonder about what happens to the little pumpkins 5 years down the road.

BTW jolie, I PMd you. :)

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

i've had kids with bili's 24 and below. from what i was reading just the other day, the bili has to be above 25 and for a signifigant period of time (untreated) to cause all the bad stuff... mental retardation, etc.

[nannyg]

I just ran across your post and in reply. My son was born full term on October 30th (He truly was a little pumpkin) his bili was 14 on discharge day 3. By day 5 it had jumped to 29 he was in Intensive Care Unit for days. He has ABSOLUTELY no longterm effects from the jaundice whatsoever! Since then I have met and worked with others with the same and have found no longterm effects. Just thought I'd let you know the little pumpkins grow up with no longterm effects. : )

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Hyperbilirubinemia of the neonate can cause severe brain damage. It isn't something to trifle with. For more information read this: http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1061.htm