Bilirubin


  • Serum

  • Total Bilirubin:
    1. Adult: 0.3-1 mg/dl.
    2. Child: 0.2-0.8 mg/dl.
    3. Full-term neonate: 6-10.0 mg/dl
  • Direct bilirubin:

- Adult: 0.0-0.4 mg/dl

  • Indirect bilirubin:

- Adult: 0.2-0.8 mg/dl


  • Total bilirubin test is used
    1. To evaluate liver function .
    2. To diagnose or monitor the progression of jaundice
    3. To determine whether an infant needs treatment of the jaundice to prevent Kernicterus
  • Indirect and direct bilirubin tests are used

- To identify the underlying cause of hyperbilirubinemia


  • Total Serum Bilirubin
    1. Hepatocelluar damage
    2. Cancer of the liver
    3. Obstruction in the biliary tree
    4. Neonatal jaundice
    5. Hemolytic disease
  • Direct Bilirubin
    1. Hepatocellular necrosis
    2. Infection in the liver
    3. Cancer of the liver, biliary duct or pancreas
    4. Cirrhosis
    5. Biliary Atresia
    6. Gallstone
    7. Acute pancreatitis
  • Indirect Bilirubin
    1. Hodgkin's lymphoma
    2. Malaria
    3. Rh or ABO incompatibility
    4. Neonatal jaundice
    5. Blood transfusion reaction