Response to Commentaries Re: Evaluation and Treatment of Jaundice in the Term Newborn: A Kinder, Gentler Approach

Abstract

We thank Dr Lucey for soliciting expert commentaries on our manuscript and for providing us the opportunity to respond to them. Although we do not have space to respond to each of the commentaries in depth, we will address the major points brought up by more than one author and selected points from the individual commentaries.

Drs Poland and Wennberg emphasize that neurotoxicity due to bilirubin is a complicated process, with many determinants besides the serum bilirubin level; Dr Cashore's four example cases illustrate this point. We agree. A bilirubin level that may be toxic in one infant may not be hazardous in another.