Page 13 - Clinical Biochemistry 08PB804

• Physiologic jaundice of the newborn is a result of the immature liver's lacking sufficient
conjugating enzymes.
• The newborn's inability to conjugate bilirubin results in high circulating blood levels of
unconjugated bilirubin, which, if untreated, passes through the blood-brain barrier.
• The bilirubin level must be monitored closely to prevent brain damage.
• Bilirubin levels can be decreased by exposing newborns to ultraviolet light.

Figure 2: hyper-bilirubinemia

Coagulation Factors
• The proteins that initiate and maintain clotting of blood are synthesized by the liver.
• Vitamin K is also an essential component of these clotting mechanisms.
• The clotting mechanism involves a cascade of reactions in which clotting factors are
activated.