W Guo, MC Wu, XY Pei

Enzyme-linked colorimetric analysis and radioimmunoassay were employed to detect serum fasting total bile acids and choloyglycin, respectively, in 32 cases of neonatal hepatitis, 33 cases of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and 34 cases of breast milk jaundice. Fasting bile acids and choloyglycin were obviously elevated in the acute period of neonatal hepatitis and decreased gradually during the convalescent and recovery periods. The difference was significant for each stage compared with controls. Acute fasting bile acid levels correlated strongly with course. Levels of bile acids and choloyglycin in patients with either neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia or breast milk jaundice differed significantly from controls. The results suggested that serum fasting total bile acids and choloyglycin were helpful in judging the course and state of neonatal hepatitis and cholestasis might exist in neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.