High-risk bilirubin refers to bilirubin levels in newborns that are in the high-risk zone, specifically above the 95th percentile for their age in hours. This categorization is based on bilirubin level charts used to assess the risk of hyperbilirubinemia and potential neurotoxicity.
Here's a breakdown based on bilirubin percentile ranges:
| Bilirubin Level Range | Risk Zone |
|---|---|
| Below 40th percentile | Low-risk zone |
| 40th to 75th percentile | Low-intermediate-risk zone |
| 75th to 95th percentile | High-intermediate-risk zone |
| Above 95th percentile | High-risk zone |
Therefore, if a newborn's bilirubin level falls above the 95th percentile on the relevant chart, it's considered high-risk bilirubin, warranting close monitoring and potential intervention to prevent complications.
