Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Liver Failure and Conjugated Hyperbilirubinemia in a Preterm Neonate: Role of Early IVIG and Exchange Transfusion.

Neonatal liver failure (NLF) is a rare diagnosis but carries with it significant risks of mortality and morbidity. Common etiologies for NLF include metabolic causes, gestational alloimmune liver disease (GALD or neonatal hemochromatosis), and viral infections. We report a case of liver failure in a premature infant with abnormal iron profile within 48 hours of birth. Lack of accepted guidelines for the initial management of severe jaundice with a high direct component in the first week after birth made treatment challenging. The infant underwent intensive phototherapy along with four exchange transfusions (ET) and two courses of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG). The clinical goals were to keep total bilirubin values ≤ 20 mg/dL in this premature neonate and to minimize the risk of bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction and decompensated liver failure. Abnormal iron studies and later magnetic resonance imaging were suggestive of GALD. Liver functions improved over time with normal neurodevelopmental assessment at 3 years of age. To conclude, in infants with NLF soon after birth, earlier consideration of IVIG/ET in the first few days may be beneficial. Larger multicenter data analyses are required to formulate treatment guidelines and indications for phototherapy, ET, and IVIG in sick neonates with NLF.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app