 |
|
Universal screening lowers risk of severe jaundice in infants
September 28, 2009Screening all newborns for excessive bilirubin in the blood can significantly decrease the incidence of severe jaundice which, in extreme cases, can lead to seizures and brain damage, according to researchers at UCSF Children's Hospital and Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research in Oakland, CA.
The study, one of the first to examine the effectiveness of universal screening for hyperbilirubinemia, appears in the current issue of "Pediatrics," the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The study is one of six in this issue to explore the topic of bilirubin and hyperbilirubinemia.
Hyperbilirubinemia is caused by an elevation of a bile pigment, called bilirubin, in the blood. Bilirubin is made when the body breaks down old red blood cells, and high levels can cause jaundice, a condition that makes the newborn's skin and the white part of the eyes look yellow.
The researchers explain that most newborns have a rise in bilirubin in the days following birth. However, very high blood levels can be toxic to the nervous system. Monitoring these levels in babies with jaundice is important so that treatment can be started before levels become excessive, explain the researchers. They add that high bilirubin levels can be treated with light therapy, which converts the bilirubin into a form that the body can remove.
"While we know that early identification of bilirubin levels before reaching toxic levels is important, bilirubin screening has not been universal, as physicians have decided which infants to screen based upon their degree of jaundice and clinical risk factors," said Michael Kuzniewicz, MD, MPH, the lead author of the study and a neonatologist at UCSF Children's Hospital. "This study provides evidence that universal screening during the birth hospitalization is a more effective method for monitoring bilirubin levels in order to prevent them from rising to a point that can damage an infant's brain."
The study evaluated the impact of implementation of the 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guideline on the management of jaundice in the Northern California facilities operated by Kaiser Permanente. The guideline recommends that every newborn be assessed for the risk of developing severe jaundice with a bilirubin level before discharge home and/or an assessment of clinical risk factors.
With universal screening, researchers noted a 62 percent decrease in the number of newborns with very high bilirubin levels. The study also describes an increase in the use of phototherapy to treat infants with elevated bilirubin levels, sometimes even when the AAP guidelines did not call for it.
Researchers in this study evaluated both blood tests and devices that estimate the bilirubin level from the color of the baby's skin as methods of screening. "The method didn't seem to matter as much as changing the standard operating procedure, such that all babies are screened," said study co-author Gabriel Escobar, MD, regional director for hospital operations research and a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research's Perinatal Research Unit in Oakland, CA. "With additional education to help avoid excessive use of phototherapy, we think universal screening is a very good tool to reduce cases of serious hyperbilirubinemia."
"This research highlights the power of laboratory databases in supporting research and quality improvement," according to senior author Thomas B. Newman, MD, MPH, with the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the UCSF Division of General Pediatrics.
University of California - San Francisco
The researchers explain that most newborns have a rise in bilirubin in the days following birth. However, very high blood levels can be toxic to the nervous system. Monitoring these levels in babies with jaundice is important so that treatment can be started before levels become excessive, explain the researchers. They add that high bilirubin levels can be treated with light therapy, which converts the bilirubin into a form that the body can remove.
"While we know that early identification of bilirubin levels before reaching toxic levels is important, bilirubin screening has not been universal, as physicians have decided which infants to screen based upon their degree of jaundice and clinical risk factors," said Michael Kuzniewicz, MD, MPH, the lead author of the study and a neonatologist at UCSF Children's Hospital. "This study provides evidence that universal screening during the birth hospitalization is a more effective method for monitoring bilirubin levels in order to prevent them from rising to a point that can damage an infant's brain."
The study evaluated the impact of implementation of the 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guideline on the management of jaundice in the Northern California facilities operated by Kaiser Permanente. The guideline recommends that every newborn be assessed for the risk of developing severe jaundice with a bilirubin level before discharge home and/or an assessment of clinical risk factors.
With universal screening, researchers noted a 62 percent decrease in the number of newborns with very high bilirubin levels. The study also describes an increase in the use of phototherapy to treat infants with elevated bilirubin levels, sometimes even when the AAP guidelines did not call for it.
Researchers in this study evaluated both blood tests and devices that estimate the bilirubin level from the color of the baby's skin as methods of screening. "The method didn't seem to matter as much as changing the standard operating procedure, such that all babies are screened," said study co-author Gabriel Escobar, MD, regional director for hospital operations research and a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research's Perinatal Research Unit in Oakland, CA. "With additional education to help avoid excessive use of phototherapy, we think universal screening is a very good tool to reduce cases of serious hyperbilirubinemia."
"This research highlights the power of laboratory databases in supporting research and quality improvement," according to senior author Thomas B. Newman, MD, MPH, with the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the UCSF Division of General Pediatrics.
University of California - San Francisco
Jaundice Current Events and Jaundice News RSSWhat relates to the short-term effectiveness of biliary drainage?
Biliary drainage is performed as a palliative treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The reduction of serum bilirubin is usually the hallmark of successful biliary drainage. However, some patients may have persistent jaundice or scanty bile output after biliary drainage.
Better blood screening process needed to prevent babesiosis transmission
Babesiosis is a potentially dangerous parasitic disease transmitted by ticks and is common in the Northeast and the upper Midwest. Babesia lives inside of red blood cells, meaning it can also be transmitted through a blood transfusion from an infected but otherwise asymptomatic blood donor.
Global death toll: 1 million premature babies every year
More than one million infants die each year because they are born too early, according to the just released White Paper, The Global and Regional Toll of Preterm Birth.
Case Studies: Dietary Supplements with Steroids Pose Health
Three cases of patients suffering from the adverse affects of steroid-enriched dietary supplements have been reported by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital.
NEJM Study Points to New Era in Hepatitis C Treatment
For patients with the most common form of hepatitis C, the addition of a hepatitis C-specific protease inhibitor called telaprevir to the current standard therapy can significantly improve the chances of being cured, and it does it in half the time of standard therapy alone.
Varicella zoster infection causes severe autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver inflammation of unknown etiology that is characterized by the presence of circulatory autoantibodies and ongoing liver tissue damage.
When acute hepatitis develops into chronic hepatitis
To achieve this, Carlos A. Guzmán, Head of the "Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology" working group and Robert Geffers, Head of the "Gene Expression Analysis" platform, examined the incidence and species of special defence cells, T helper cells, along with their role in the development of the disease in conjunction with their Indian colleagues.
Preterm births rise 36 percent since early 1980s
New government statistics confirm that the decades-long rise in the United States preterm birth rate continues, putting more infants than ever at increased risk of death and disability.
Studies examine quality of care for hospitalized sickle cell disease patients
A study assessing the quality of care for patients with sickle cell disease in a variety of hospital settings will be presented at a press conference on Saturday, December 6, at 9:30 a.m., during the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Francisco, CA.
How about the feasibility of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided choledochoduodenostomy?
Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided biliary drainage for treatment of patients who have obstructive jaundice in cases of failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
More Jaundice Current Events and Jaundice News Articles
 |
Neonatal Jaundice (Monographs in Clinical Pediatrics) by M Jeffrey Maisels (Author), Jon F Watchko (Author) Jaundice is the most common abnormal physical sign found in the new-born infant. It occurs in around two-thirds of all normal babies in the first few days of life, and can lead to toxicity of the central nervous system. In the current era of cost containment, infants are leaving hospital much earlier and as bilirubin levels are rising at the time of discharge, physicians must now follow these infants as outpatients to make sure that severe jaundice does not occur. Neonatal Jaundice is the first complete source of current information for all physicians interested in the care of the new-born infant. When and how hyperbilirubinemia should be treated is a matter of ongoing controversy and this text presents a reasoned clinical approach to the management of the jaundiced new-born. The... |
 |
Native Remedies Liver Doctor and Detox Drops ComboPack by Native Remedies The ComboPack of Liver Dr. and Detox Drops consists of multiple remedies that work well together to provide increased support for your condition. This ComboPack helps to improve liver functioning and aids in detoxifying the system. The Liver Dr. helps to improve liver health and functioning while the Detox Drops assist in the elimination of toxins from the body. |
 |
Jaundice by Lucy's Fur Coat |
 |
Yog For Hepatitis / Jaundice Starring: Swami Ramdev Directed By: Swami Ramdev This New DVD for heapatitis and jaundice By Swami Ramdev ji contains Pranayamas, Yoga Assanas, Accupressure & Home remedy for heapatitis and jaundice.Yoga, Acupressure, Pranayama & Medicines for the treatment of very serious diseases like Hepatitis A, B, C / Jaundice / Liver Psoriasis are shown and treated by this DVD. The regular consumption of Alcohol, Cold Drink, and Fried Foods has also become the cause of dreaded liver related diseases in millions of people for some extent genetic is one of the reason for liver ailments in this DVD the given program will fill the life with the hope getting rid of it. In modern medical science, there was a wrong notion that liver related problems cannot be cured, but we have given the scientifically proven treatment of lever related problems by yoga,... |
 |
1892 Sketch Steamer Ship India Punkah Wallahs Jaundice by old-print Old Antique Historical Victorian Prints Maps and Historic Fine Art ----------. 1892 Sketch Steamer Ship India Punkah Wallahs Jaundice One Page From The Graphic C1850-1899, The Actual Date Is In The Title Or On The Page Itself. All Are Genuine Antique Victorian Prints And Not Modern Copies. Size Is Approx 15 X 11 Inches (Or 38 X 28 Cm) Or A Little Larger Depending On Year. If This Is Not What You Are Looking For Please Search All My Listings. Quality Selling At Your Price |
 |
Jaundice Giraffe Feral Children (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Respironics BiliChek Noninvasive Bilirubin System Jaundice Meter by Respironics System Features: BiliChek Noninvasive Bilirubin System 2 BiliChek Disposable Tips. BiliChek Battery Charger Base BiliChek Rechargeable Battery BilEclipse Phototherapy Patch , Pack of 10. Light Kit The BiliChek measures total serum bilirubin levels with no pain, no waiting and no risk of infection compared to the traditional heel stick method or blood draw. Using light, BiliChek tests bilirubin levels without regard to gender, gestational age or bodyweight. Only the replaceable plastic tip touches the baby's forehead, which reduces the risk of infection or cross contamination. The hand-held unit gives almost instantaneous results so treatment decisions can be made more quickly. Can be used in the home or hospital setting. Rechargeable batteries provide at least 100... |
 |
NOW FOODS PARSLEY HERB 450MG *** 100 CAPS by Now Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is an herb native to the Mediterranean region, but is now cultivated in most temperate regions of the world. Parsley was known as early as the first century and was used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans as both a flavoring and garnish. Parsley provides Potassium, Vitamin A and Folate, and is high in Chlorophyll. The aromatic oils of Parsley make it an ideal breath freshener. |
 |
The Baby who Changed Colors Also With: Discovery Health (Producer) |
 |
Clinical Approach to Jaundice by Rakesh Tandon (Author), Acharya (Author) Jaundice is a common manifestation of various hepatobiliary and haematological disorders, in addition to several pathophysiological processes. This book provides a comprehensive guide to the diagnosis and management of jaundice. In a cohesive manner, it presents common principles involved in the management of apparently dissimilar conditions. Authored by pioneer gastroenterologists and hepatologists this multiauthor book provides help to physicians and general practitioners in adopting logical and diagnostic algorithms in their clinical practice. Also available: Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology - ISBN 8180611353 Anshan Publishers is a publisher of fine medical, scientific, and technical books. We find the best titles from our... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |