Bilirubin-albumin binding in term newborns on total parenteral nutrition

Abstract

We evaluate the influence of plasma lipid levels supplied in parenteral nutrition, on the bilirubin-albumin binding of 12 term newborns with severe pathologies. As controls we selected 2 groups of an equal number o newborns who were receiving maternal or artificial lactation. The reserved albumin binding capacity decreased in newborns subjected to parenteral nutrition (52.3 versus 72.9/73.5). This decrease correlated positively with greater concentrations of free fatty acids (r = 0.9234, p < 0.001), cholesterol (r = 0.9049, p < 0.001), and triglycerides (r = 0.8802, p < 0.001). The clear influence of the studied lipid parameters on the bilirubin albumin binding, invites us to consider the systematic use of heparin for the mobilization of lipoprotein-lipase from the vascular endothelium and to promote a better management of lipids in term newborns, especially if there is an important hyperbilirubinemia.