bilirubin
[/ˌbɪlɪˈruːbɪn/]
nounfeminine
bilirrubina
1. A yellow-orange bile pigment produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells, primarily in the liver
High levels of bilirubin in the blood can cause jaundice, which turns the skin and eyes yellow.
Níveis elevados de bilirrubina no sangue podem causar icterícia, que deixa a pele e os olhos amarelados.
2. A compound that is measured in blood tests to assess liver function and hemolysis
The doctor ordered a bilirubin test to check for liver disease.
O médico pediu um teste de bilirrubina para verificar se há doença hepática.
3. In newborns, an indicator measured to prevent kernicterus, a serious neurological condition
Newborns with elevated bilirubin levels may require phototherapy treatment.
Recém-nascidos com níveis elevados de bilirrubina podem necessitar tratamento com fototerapia.
Bilirubin testing is a routine part of newborn screening in both the USA and Brazil. In Brazil, testing for elevated bilirubin levels in newborns (icterícia neonatal) is standard medical practice in hospitals to prevent serious complications. The term is strictly medical/scientific and not used in colloquial language.
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