Hyperbilirubinemia

Hyperbilirubinemia

Hyperbilirubinemia is defined as serum bilirubin concentration > 25 μmol/l. However, clinical presentation (jaundice (icterus) – yellowish colouring of the skin, sclera and mucosa) is apparent in newborns usually around hyperbilirubinemia of 80-100 μmol/l. It is one of the most common clinical and laboratory findings in both term and preterm infants (antenatally, placenta is responsible for…

Leukocyte abnormalities

Leukocyte abnormalities

There are significant differences (leukocyte abnormalities) in white blood cell (WBC) total and differential counts between newborns and older children. Alterations in WBC total and differential count can be an early sign of infection (leukopenia, leukocytosis, shift to the left). Total WBC counts should be always adjusted for given postnatal age – see Table. I/T index…

Early onset sepsis

Early onset sepsis

Early onset sepsis (EOS) is an infectious complication in newborns that have clinical presentation within the first 72 hours of life. Sometimes also called perinatal due to pathogenesis – vertical transmission shortly before the birth (transplacental), ascendent infection from the cervicovaginal space (chorioamnionitis, funisitis, fetal infection) or during the vaginal delivery. The pathogen can be also the cause…