Biochemical alterations in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin encephalopathy: a review. 1979

W B Karp

This review article discusses some current questions concerning the measurement of bilirubin in the blood of newborn infants and the relationship of these blood parameters to the biochemical defects responsible for bilirubin encephalopathy. A discussion of numerous theories, which have been put forth to explain the specific biochemical mechanism by which bilirubin acts on brain metabolism, demonstrates that presently there is no unequivocal explanation for the molecular events leading to bilirubin encephalopathy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007567 Jaundice, Neonatal Yellow discoloration of the SKIN; MUCOUS MEMBRANE; and SCLERA in the NEWBORN. It is a sign of NEONATAL HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA. Most cases are transient self-limiting (PHYSIOLOGICAL NEONATAL JAUNDICE) occurring in the first week of life, but some can be a sign of pathological disorders, particularly LIVER DISEASES. Icterus Gravis Neonatorum,Neonatal Jaundice,Physiological Neonatal Jaundice,Severe Jaundice in Neonate,Severe Jaundice in Newborn,Jaundice, Physiological Neonatal,Neonatal Jaundice, Physiological
D007647 Kernicterus A term used pathologically to describe BILIRUBIN staining of the BASAL GANGLIA; BRAIN STEM; and CEREBELLUM and clinically to describe a syndrome associated with HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA. Clinical features include athetosis, MUSCLE SPASTICITY or hypotonia, impaired vertical gaze, and DEAFNESS. Nonconjugated bilirubin enters the brain and acts as a neurotoxin, often in association with conditions that impair the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER (e.g., SEPSIS). This condition occurs primarily in neonates (INFANT, NEWBORN), but may rarely occur in adults. (Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p613) Bilirubin Encephalopathy,Hyperbilirubinemic Encephalopathy,Encephalopathy, Bilirubin,Encephalopathy, Hyperbilirubinemic,Bilirubin Encephalopathies,Encephalopathies, Bilirubin,Encephalopathies, Hyperbilirubinemic,Hyperbilirubinemic Encephalopathies
D010085 Oxidative Phosphorylation Electron transfer through the cytochrome system liberating free energy which is transformed into high-energy phosphate bonds. Phosphorylation, Oxidative,Oxidative Phosphorylations,Phosphorylations, Oxidative
D010101 Oxygen Consumption The rate at which oxygen is used by a tissue; microliters of oxygen STPD used per milligram of tissue per hour; the rate at which oxygen enters the blood from alveolar gas, equal in the steady state to the consumption of oxygen by tissue metabolism throughout the body. (Stedman, 25th ed, p346) Consumption, Oxygen,Consumptions, Oxygen,Oxygen Consumptions
D011506 Proteins Linear POLYPEPTIDES that are synthesized on RIBOSOMES and may be further modified, crosslinked, cleaved, or assembled into complex proteins with several subunits. The specific sequence of AMINO ACIDS determines the shape the polypeptide will take, during PROTEIN FOLDING, and the function of the protein. Gene Products, Protein,Gene Proteins,Protein,Protein Gene Products,Proteins, Gene
D001812 Blood-Brain Barrier Specialized non-fenestrated tightly-joined ENDOTHELIAL CELLS with TIGHT JUNCTIONS that form a transport barrier for certain substances between the cerebral capillaries and the BRAIN tissue. Brain-Blood Barrier,Hemato-Encephalic Barrier,Barrier, Blood-Brain,Barrier, Brain-Blood,Barrier, Hemato-Encephalic,Barriers, Blood-Brain,Barriers, Brain-Blood,Barriers, Hemato-Encephalic,Blood Brain Barrier,Blood-Brain Barriers,Brain Blood Barrier,Brain-Blood Barriers,Hemato Encephalic Barrier,Hemato-Encephalic Barriers
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D002952 Citric Acid Cycle A series of oxidative reactions in the breakdown of acetyl units derived from GLUCOSE; FATTY ACIDS; or AMINO ACIDS by means of tricarboxylic acid intermediates. The end products are CARBON DIOXIDE, water, and energy in the form of phosphate bonds. Krebs Cycle,Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle,Citric Acid Cycles,Cycle, Citric Acid,Cycle, Krebs,Cycle, Tricarboxylic Acid,Cycles, Citric Acid,Cycles, Tricarboxylic Acid,Tricarboxylic Acid Cycles
D004791 Enzyme Inhibitors Compounds or agents that combine with an enzyme in such a manner as to prevent the normal substrate-enzyme combination and the catalytic reaction. Enzyme Inhibitor,Inhibitor, Enzyme,Inhibitors, Enzyme

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