What does it mean when a newborn's direct bilirubin level is too high?
Disease description:
During the physical examination after birth, it was found that the baby had elevated direct bilirubin. What causes high direct bilirubin in newborns?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Jin Zhongkui
Elevated direct bilirubin in newborns may result from liver cell damage, which impairs the normal conversion of excess bilirubin into bile, or from poor bile excretion leading to bilirubin accumulation in the body. Conditions such as biliary atresia or cholestatic hepatitis in newborns can also commonly cause elevated direct bilirubin. Additionally, viral infections, especially cytomegalovirus infection, may lead to increased levels of direct bilirubin in newborns.
