Abstract:
The appearance of jaundice in every newborn, regardless of gestational age, which lasts 14 days (even though they are breastfeeding)should be examined for differential diagnosis.The examination involves initial, basal laboratory analyzes (conjugated bilirubin, aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, glucose, albumins, prothrombin, thromboplastin, urine) and then additional diagnostics, ultrasound, scintigraphy, MRCP, intraoperative cholangiography and liver biopsy as the "gold standard (1). Although 30 - 50% of term infants are "yellow" after birth, and the most common cause is physiological jaundice, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia almost always reflects hepatic damage caused by various diseases. Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia can appear at any age after birth and implies an increase in the conjugated fraction of bilirubin > 20%. If it is detected in the first 24 hours of life, it is mostly caused by an infection, but regardless of the cause and age, the clinical presentation is very similar and includes: jaundice, the appearance of dark urine and pale yellow stools, weaker in body weight, newborns are small for their gestational age, there is dysmorphia, hepatosplenomegaly, rarely ascites, heart murmur and tendency to bleed. It is necessary to clarify the nature of these diseases as soon as possible in order to provide adequate treatment and prevent long-term consequences
