investigation of prolonged unconjugated jaundice
Last reviewed 01/2018
In babies with a gestational age of 37 weeks or more with jaundice lasting more than 14 days, and in babies with a gestational age of less than 37 weeks and jaundice lasting more than 21 days:
- look for pale chalky stools and/or dark urine that stains the nappy
- measure the conjugated bilirubin
- carry out a full blood count
- carry out a blood group determination (mother and baby) and DAT (Coombs' test). Interpret the result taking account of the strength of reaction, and whether mother received prophylactic anti-D immunoglobulin during pregnancy
- carry out a urine culture
- ensure that routine metabolic screening (including screening for congenital hypothyroidism) has been performed.
Follow expert advice about care for babies with a conjugated bilirubin level greater than 25 micromol/litre because this may indicate serious liver disease
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