Epidemiology and Management of Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia
Mohammed Salah Hussein
Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Dr. Samir Abbas Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Walid Hajaj AlOrainy
King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah Mohammed Daghriri
Eradah (Al Amal) Mental Health Complex, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Khalid Mohammed Alotaibi
Dankook University College of Medicine, South Korea.
Afnan Hamdan Owayn Alanazi
Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia.
Husam Abdulaziz Alkhathlan
King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Raghad Abdullah Alsaaedi
King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
Najd Adnan Alamoudi
Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia.
Faisal Abdulmohsen Bin Talib
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia.
Muzaynah Abdullah Al Ali
Security Forces Health Center in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Abdullatif Alowaidi
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia.
Naif salem H Alshammari
Mental Health Hospital in Hafr Albatin, Saudi Arabia.
Laila Mohammed Mujarribi
Samtah General Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
Rayan Saad Ahmed Almalki
King Salman Hospital / Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Afnan Abdullah Ahmed Oraijah
King Faisal Medical Complex, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is characterised by increased serum or plasma bilirubin (unconjugated) levels that exceed the laboratory's reference range. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, is the most common cause of jaundice in newborns. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is caused by bilirubin metabolism dysregulation, which includes increased synthesis, reduced hepatic absorption, and decreased bilirubin conjugation. Gilbert syndrome (type 1 and 2), Crigler-Najjar syndromes (type 1 and 2), and hereditary illnesses producing hemolytic anaemia are all examples of inherited conditions that can cause unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Crigler-Najjar syndrome is a sporadic condition, Gilbert syndrome is more common yet less dangerous symptom. Using phototherapy and plasmapheresis, the major goal of treatment is to lower the amount of unconjugated bilirubin. Intensive phototherapy is the basis of management of Crigler-Najjar syndrome type 1. Combined with plasmapheresis and in some cases liver transplantation may be required.
Keywords: Unconjugated, hyperbilirubinemia, epidemiology, crigler-najjar syndromes