Type I is autosomal recessive. Type II is autosomal dominant, and it can effectively be treated with phenobarbital. Neonatal hypothyroidism is another cause of prolonged indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Sepsis often causes increased breakdown of red blood cells and decreased hepatic excretion of bilirubin. Certain drugs given to the newborn may also induce hemolysis or decrease bilirubin excretion.
Breast feeding Feeding with breast milk is associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
In healthy newborns, the danger of an elevated bilirubin concentration is minimal, and switching to formula feeding is unnecessary. Consequences of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Phototherapy with blue light causes photoconversion of bilirubin to a water-soluble product that is excreted in urine and stool. Bilirubin concentrations are measured once or twice a day during Exchange transfusion therapy .