'New' bilirubin recommendations questioned

Newman and Maisels are to be congratulated on their diligence in ferreting out information relevant to the evaluation, toxicity, and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Their reviews should be read by all physicians caring for jaundiced newborns so that they can be fully informed of the data now available.1,2 The identification of jaundiced infants can result in the cessation of breast-feeding and the view of the infant as being at increased risk for other illnesses.3,4 This must be balanced against the risk of bilirubin toxicity. In this issue of Pediatrics, Newman and Maisels5 make recommendations for changes in the evaluation and treatment of jaundiced infants.