Impact of delayed screening for prolonged jaundice in the newborn

Jaundice persisting for longer than 14 days in the newborn is a trigger to screen for serious underlying disorders such as biliary atresia and other hepatobiliary disorders.1 However, screening too early could result in considerable anxiety for the parents and unnecessary tests for the baby.2 We evaluated our practice of delaying screening tests for 1 week after referral to assess its effect on babies with prolonged jaundice. The outcome for all babies referred aged 14 days to a dedicated prolonged jaundice clinic at Hillingdon Hospital, Middlesex, UK between 1 April 2006 and 31 July 2007 was reviewed. The babies had a …