Neurobehavioral Teratology

Abstract

A question frequently asked relates to whether neonatal unconjugatedhyperbilirubinemia might, at relatively low levels, have an adverse effect on mentalacuity and behavior.The concept is that even when indirect bilirubin levels are in the 12–18 mg/100 ml range, some small amount of free unbound bilirubin could gain access to thebrain, and have a deleterious effect.The issue of free unbound bilirubin entering cerebraltissue is discussed in the chapter in this volume entitled “Hyperbilirubinemia Revisited.”