Benzyl alcohol, kernicterus, and unbound bilirubin

J Pediatr. 2001 Aug;139(2):317-9. doi: 10.1067/mpd.2001.116281.

Abstract

A prospective study in 1983 demonstrated no significant relationship between serum unbound bilirubin levels and kernicterus. The presence of benzoate (a bilirubin-binding competitor) in the serum along with sample dilution, however, may have rendered the unbound bilirubin measurements in that study inaccurate.

MeSH terms

  • Anesthetics, Local / pharmacology*
  • Benzyl Alcohol / pharmacology*
  • Bilirubin / blood*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Kernicterus / blood*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Benzyl Alcohol
  • Bilirubin