Physiologic Hyperbilirubinemia

Physiologic Hyperbilirubinemia

Usually not present in first 24 hours.
Rarely increases by more than 5 mg/dl in 1 day.
Peaks at 48 to 72 hours in full-term infants and 4 to 5 days in the premature ones.
Serum bilirubin does not exceed 13 mg/dl in the full-term infant and 15 mg/dl in the preterm infant.
Direct bilirubin fraction is generally <2 mg/dl.
Physiologic jaundice disappears by 1 week in full-term infants and by 2 weeks in premature infants.
Any infant that does not meet the above description has nonphysiologic hyperbilirubinemia and should be worked up.