Hyperbilirubinemiaa

Hyperbilirubinemiaa refers to an increased level of bilirubin in the bloodstream, a condition commonly known as hyperbilirubinemia. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment that results from the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Normally, the liver conjugates bilirubin, making it water‑soluble so it can be excreted into bile and eliminated through the digestive tract. When this process is overwhelmed or impaired, bilirubin accumulates in the blood, producing jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera.

Causes of hyperbilirubinemiaa include hemolytic disorders, where red blood cells are destroyed rapidly; liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis that reduce conjugation; obstruction of bile ducts from gallstones or tumors; and genetic conditions like Gilbert syndrome or Crigler–Najjar syndrome. Premature infants frequently develop physiological jaundice, a mild form that usually resolves with phototherapy.

Diagnosis is established through serum bilirubin measurement, distinguishing between direct (conjugated) and indirect (unconjugated) fractions. Additional laboratory tests, imaging studies, and sometimes liver biopsy may be necessary to uncover the underlying cause. Treatment depends on etiology; therapeutic options range from phototherapy and exchange transfusion for severe neonatal jaundice to surgical or endoscopic removal of bile duct obstructions, liver transplantation, or pharmacologic agents that enhance bilirubin clearance.

Complications arise when bilirubin levels become markedly high, leading to kernicterus—bilirubin deposition in brain tissue that can cause permanent neurological damage. Early detection and appropriate management are essential to prevent such adverse outcomes.