What bilirubin level is classified as toxic in neonates?

A bilirubin level of 20 mg/dL is typically recognized as a threshold above which the risk of neurotoxicity increases in neonates. This is specifically due to the potential for bilirubin to cross the blood-brain barrier and cause kernicterus, a serious and irreversible condition that can lead to permanent neurological damage.

In neonates, bilirubin levels are regularly monitored because jaundice is common; however, levels rising above 20 mg/dL warrant urgent intervention to prevent complications. Close attention to the progression of hyperbilirubinemia helps in making appropriate clinical decisions regarding treatment, such as phototherapy or exchange transfusion, to manage and lower bilirubin levels effectively.