The aims of this study were to detect the frequency at which the different types of neonatal jaundice occur in Makkah and to estimate the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. This study included 239 neonates with neonatal jaundice, 20 anemic neonates and 21 healthy neonates. ABO incompatibility was observed in 31.6% of neonates with indirect hyperbilirubinemia, in 14.3% of those with early onset jaund...

BACKGROUND An exchange transfusion involves replacing patient's blood with donor blood in order to remove abnormal blood components and circulating toxins while maintaining adequate circulating blood volume. OBJECTIVE To observe the incidence, causes of jaundice requiring Exchange and any adverse event of exchange transfusion in newborns with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. METHOD Prospect...

  Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 is the enzyme that detoxifies neurotoxic bilirubin by conjugating it with glucuronic acid. UGT1A1 also plays a critical role in the detoxification and excretion of endogenous and exogenous lipophilic compounds mainly in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Impaired or reduced UGT1A1 activity causes unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's syndrom...

Gilbert syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive inherited bilirubin metabolism disorder characterized by chronic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in the absence of hemolysis and liver disease. Primary Sjogren's (pSS), mainly occurring women, a common connective tissue disease (CTD) wherein levels are generally reduced. We report rare case pSS coexisting with GS. A 35-year-old female patient pres...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of clofibrate for unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. METHODS A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials or quasi-randomized controlled trials was conducted to evaluate the clofibrate treatment in neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. We followed the guidelines from the Cochrane review group and the PRISMA statemen...

Indinavir is a viral protease inhibitor used for the treatment of HIV infection. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia develops in up to 25% of patients receiving indinavir, prompting drug discontinuation and further clinical evaluation in some instances. We postulated that this side-effect is due to indinavir-mediated impairment of bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity and would be mo...

Over the last few years the genetic basis of Gilbert’s syndrome has been clarified. This issue of the journal contains four papers on this condition. One paper describes a novel molecular mechanism responsible for decreased bilirubin-UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity, while two articles evaluate the interaction between Gilbert’s syndrome and hematologic disorders associated with increase bil...

Bilirubin is the end product of degradation of the heme moiety of hemoproteins. Hemoglobin, derived from senescent erythrocytes, is the major source of bilirubin. Significant fractions are also derived from other hemoproteins of liver and other organs. Historically, hyperbilirubinemia has attracted the attention of clinicians as a marker of liver dysfunction. Subsequently, the studies of biliru...

impression that kernicterus has virtually " become extinct " with the near elimination of Rh disease is incorrect. In fact, this neurological condition is experiencing a re-emergence, likely due to earlier hospital discharge and a " more lax " approach to the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. 1 Up to one in 700 healthy term newborns may be at risk of kernicterus due to severe hyperbilir...