Hyperbilirubinemia in neonates associated with total parenteral nutrition.

To identify the factors responsible for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) associated jaundice in the neonate, 77 newborns who had been started on TPN during the past 12 years had their charts reviewed. Forty-four (57%) of these infants developed jaundice during the 1st month of life. The incidence of jaundice was significantly higher in the presence of those diseases which were associated with impaired intestinal passage such as congenital duodenal atresia, jejunal atresia, etc, and those with an abnormal rotation of the gut such as diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, etc. Thirty-two (42%) of these 77 infants had accompanying infectious signs, and 28 (88%) of those 32 infants with infectious signs developed jaundice. This incidence was significantly higher than that (36%) among those who had no infectious signs. Of the possible etiologic factors other than infection, neither the length of intrauterine life nor birth weight showed significant correlation with the incidence of jaundice. The incidence of jaundice tended to be higher in infants started on TPN at a younger age. There was no significant correlation between the incidence of jaundice and the duration of TPN or fasting period. Infants receiving 110 cal/kg/day or more during TPN developed jaundice significantly more frequently than those receiving fewer calories. No definite correlation was obtained between the incidence of jaundice and the amount of amino acids administered.