Definition

Noun: A medical condition characterized by an abnormally high concentration of the bile pigment bilirubin in the bloodstream. This excess bilirubin can lead to jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

Usage

The term is used in medical contexts to describe a pathological state, not a disease itself, but a symptom or finding indicative of underlying issues with liver function, bile ducts, or red blood cell breakdown.

Examples

• The newborn was diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia and required phototherapy.
• Hyperbilirubinemia is a common concern in pediatric medicine.
• The lab results confirmed hyperbilirubinemia, prompting further investigation into liver function.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often modified to specify the type of bilirubin elevated (e.g., conjugated vs. unconjugated) or the cause.
• It is a key diagnostic criterion for conditions like Gilbert's syndrome, hemolytic anemia, and biliary obstruction.

Variants and Related Words

• Hyperbilirubinemic (adjective): Pertaining to or affected by hyperbilirubinemia.
  • The hyperbilirubinemic infant was monitored closely.

Different Meanings

This word has a single, specific medical meaning.

Synonyms

• Elevated bilirubin
• Bilirubinemia (a less specific term)

Antonyms

• Normobilirubinemia (a technical term for normal bilirubin levels)

Related Idioms/Phrases

No common idioms or phrasal verbs are associated with this technical medical term.

Noun

1. abnormally high amounts of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood