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
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…
Late onset sepsis
Late onset sepsis (LOS) is an infectious complication in newborns that have clinical presentation after the first 72 hours of life. Sometimes also called nosocomial due to pathogenesis – contact with mother, breastmilk, invasive procedures, hands of healthcare personnel. LOS episodes significantly contribute to neonatal mortality and morbidity rates and can have lifelong…