Unbound Bilirubin Levels in Healthy Term and Late Preterm Infants

Unbound Bilirubin Levels in Healthy Term and Late Preterm Infants

Specific Aim 1: To determine total serum bilirubin (TSB) and unbound bilirubin (Bf) levels in term and late preterm infants during the first week of life.

Specific Aim 2: Measure Bf levels in breast fed and formula fed infants and examine their relationship to unbound fatty acid (FFAu) levels.

Specific Aim 3: To demonstrate that phototherapy results in different changes in TSB and Bf.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Term and late-preterm infants admitted to the regular care nursery of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital will be eligible for the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infants suffering from genetic, chromosomal or surgical conditions will be excluded.