Several factors can contribute to elevated bilirubin levels in neonates. These include:
- Physiologic jaundice: Normal increase in bilirubin in the first few days after birth. - Breastfeeding jaundice: Occurs in the first week of life due to insufficient milk intake. - Breast milk jaundice: Develops after the first week and may persist longer due to substances in breast milk that increase bilirubin reabsorption. - Hemolytic disease: Conditions like Rh or ABO incompatibility where red blood cells are broken down too quickly. - Prematurity: Premature infants have underdeveloped livers and may experience delayed bilirubin processing.
