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abstractpubmed· Abstract 2015· item PMID:26239927

Bilirubin Concentrations in Jaundiced Neonates with Conjunctival Icterus. OBJECTIVES: To assess the total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels at which conjunctival icterus is observed in neonates of ≥34 weeks gestation during the first week of life. STUDY DESIGN: Two convenience samples of neonates were examined for conjunctival icterus within 4 hours of TSB measurements. A concurrent assessment of cephalopedal cutaneous icterus was performed and the TSB characterized using the Bhutani hour-specific risk zone nomogram. RESULTS: Two hundred forty neonates were studied of which 76 had conjunctival icterus. Conjunctival icterus was always accompanied by cutaneous jaundice to at least the chest and more often than not a TSB >14.9 mg/dL (255 umol/L) consistently in the 76th%-95th% to >95th% range on the Bhutani nomogram. Only a few infants with TSB in the range of 10-14.9 mg/dL (171-255 umol/L) had conjunctival icterus. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival icterus was observed in a subset of jaundiced neonates and associated with elevated hour-specific TSB levels frequently >95th% on the Bhutani nomogram. Conjunctival icterus is a sign of clinically relevant hyperbilirubinemia that merits a TSB measurement and evaluation of the infant.