Methods and devices for assessing in vivo toxicity levels of bilirubin and diagnosing an increased risk of bilirubin neurotoxicity

摘要

In an alternative embodiment, it is determined whether treatment is needed to detect the toxicity level of bilirubin neurologically in vivo and to prevent bilirubin-induced neurological damage (eg, encephalopathy). To this end, methods, devices, and systems are provided that use clinical data to determine whether bilirubin binding is normal in newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia. In an alternative embodiment, devices and systems are also provided that include automated microfluidic handling techniques such as zone fluid systems to obtain bilirubin coupling panels. In an alternative embodiment, treatment is required to ameliorate, reverse, or prevent bilirubin-induced neurological damage (eg, encephalopathy) in a needing individual, such as a neonatal with hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice). Methods are also provided for using the bilirubin binding panel to determine whether or not, and for initiating treatment as needed.