Neonatology

Severe Hyperbilirubinaemia

This two-year study on the surveillance of Severe Hyperbilirubinaemia ran from May 2003 to 2005 at a time when there was no comprehensive study of the national incidence of severe neonatal jaundice. It aimed to determine the incidence of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in the United Kingdom and Ireland and identify clinical and demographic variables associated with severe neonatal jaundice. Lastly, it aimed to identify possible consequences of the occurrence of severe neonatal jaundice, such as the need for exchange transfusion, the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy, and associated morbidity and mortality.

By bpsu · May 1, 2003

Lead investigator

Dr Donal Manning

About the study

During the 1990’s, bilirubin encephalopathy was reported with increasing frequency in term neonates in North America and Europe. Previously, in the developed world, this condition was encountered primarily in infants with severe Rhesus isoimmunisation, and it had virtually disappeared thanks to developments in preventing and treating Rhesus disease.

The apparent reappearance of severe neonatal jaundice and bilirubin encephalopathy was ascribed to increasingly early discharge of mothers and infants from the maternity unit, and to a less aggressive approach to investigation and treatment of neonatal jaundice. Similar trends in newborn management had been observed in the UK, but there was no comprehensive study of the national incidence of severe neonatal jaundice.

Objectives:

  • To determine the incidence of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
  • To identify clinical and demographic variables associated with severe neonatal jaundice.
  • To identify possible consequences of the occurrence of severe neonatal jaundice, such as the need for exchange transfusion, the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy, and associated morbidity and mortality.

Duration

May 2003 – May 2005

Published papers

Manning D, Todd P, Maxwell M, Jane Platt M. Prospective surveillance study of severe hyperbilirubinaemia in the newborn in the UK and Ireland. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2007 Sep;92(5):F342-6. doi: 10.1136/adc.2006.105361. Epub 2006 Oct 30. PMID: 17074786; PMCID: PMC2675352.

BPSU 19th Annual report 2004 -2005

Support group

Children’s Liver Disease Foundation
Web: childliverdisease.org Email: info@childliverdisease.org