Personal reflections on the AAP practice parameter on management of hyperbilirubinemia in the healthy term newborn.

Each year approximately 60% of the 4 million newborns in the United States become clinically jaundiced. Many receive various forms of evaluation and treatment. Questions regarding potentially detrimental neurologic effects from elevated serum bilirubin levels prompt continuing concern and debate, particularly with regard to the management of the otherwise healthy term newborn without risk factors for hemolysis. Although most data are based on infants with birth weights >2500 g, "term" is hereafter defined as 37 completed weeks of gestation.