Hyperbilirubinaemia and bacterial infection in the newborn. A prospective study.

The incidence of bacterial infection associated with unexplained hyperbilirubinaemia was determined prospectively in 69 infants under 2 weeks of age. Blood and urine cultures were obtained from all patients, and 22 patients had their CSF cultured. Bacterial infection was documented in only 2 infants, who had asymptomatic Gram-negative urinary tract infection.