Abstract
• A previous retrospective study showed an increased frequency of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia at high altitude in Colorado. In a prospective study we found that 39% of newborns at 3100m altitude vs 16% at 1600 m exhibited hyperbilirubinemia, defined as a day 3 serum bilirubin level of 205 μmol/L or higher. Increased bilirubin production at 3100 m vs 1600 m was shown by increased levels of corrected carboxyhemoglobin. This finding was supported by increased erythropoietin and bilirubin values in cord blood and increased hematocrit values at day 3 among infants at 3100 m vs 1600 m. The sustained elevation in bilirubin for breastfed vs formula-fed infants at 1600 m was observed for both feeding types at 3100 m. The findings suggested that there is a hematologic response to decreased oxygen availability at high altitude, resulting in increased bilirubin production accompanied by delayed bilirubin clearance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 983-987 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | American Journal of Diseases of Children |
Volume | 143 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1989 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health