The influence of clinical status on total bilirubin binding capacity in newborn infants.

The relationship between total bilirubin binding capacity (TBBC) and clinical status was investigated in order to assess the risk of bilirubin toxicity in 83 infants with jaundice in this study. Infants with respiratory distress, acidosis, hypoglycaemia, sepsis, asphyxia-anoxia and hypercarbia were accepted as ill and the remainders were well. Sephadex G-25 gel filtration method was used to determine TBBC. Serum albumin levels, TBBC and TBBC/albumin molar ratios were lower in ill premature and mature infants. Acidosis was the major risk factor for bilirubin toxicity in ill infants. Therefore, clinical status should be taken into consideration in the management of jaundiced infants.