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Bronze Baby Syndrome
Bronze baby syndrome (BBS) is a rare side effect of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice Neonatal jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the white part of the eyes and skin in a newborn baby due to high bilirubin levels. Other symptoms may include excess sleepiness or poor feeding. Complications may include seizures, cerebral .... The exact mechanism of discoloration is not yet known. In 1972, physicians Arthur E. Kopelman, Ralph S. Brown, and Gerard B. Odell first described the phenomenon in the literature. BBS occurs when a neonate receiving phototherapy for neonatal jaundice also has a component of direct hyperbilirubinemia. The combination of direct hyperbilirubinemia and phototherapy causes a distinctive bronze/grey discoloration of the skin of the infant. This discoloration of the skin cells is permanent through the life of the cells, so it can take 3-4 weeks to resolve, as the new skin cells made will not have the discoloration. This discoloration is not overall ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Neonatal Jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the white part of the eyes and skin in a newborn baby due to high bilirubin levels. Other symptoms may include excess sleepiness or poor feeding. Complications may include seizures, cerebral palsy, or kernicterus. In most of cases there is no specific underlying physiologic disorder. In other cases it results from red blood cell breakdown, liver disease, infection, hypothyroidism, or metabolic disorders (pathologic). A bilirubin level more than 34 μmol/L (2 mg/dL) may be visible. Concerns, in otherwise healthy babies, occur when levels are greater than 308 μmol/L (18 mg/dL), jaundice is noticed in the first day of life, there is a rapid rise in levels, jaundice lasts more than two weeks, or the baby appears unwell. In those with concerning findings further investigations to determine the underlying cause are recommended. The need for treatment depends on bilirubin levels, the age of the child, and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
