Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia
Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More

Learn About Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia

What is the definition of Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?

Transient familial hyperbilirubinemia is a metabolic condition that is passed down through families. Babies with this disorder are born with severe jaundice.

What are the alternative names for Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?

Lucey-Driscoll syndrome

What are the causes of Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?

Transient familial hyperbilirubinemia is an inherited condition. It occurs when the body does not properly break down (metabolize) a certain form of bilirubin. Bilirubin levels rapidly build up in the body. The high levels are poisonous to the brain and can cause death.

What are the symptoms of Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?

Your newborn may have:

  • Yellow skin (jaundice)
  • Yellow eyes (icterus)
  • Lethargy

If untreated, seizures and neurologic problems (kernicterus) may develop.

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What are the current treatments for Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?

Phototherapy with blue light is used to treat the high level of bilirubin. An exchange transfusion is sometimes necessary if the levels are extremely high.

Who are the top Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia Local Doctors?
Distinguished in Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia
Distinguished in Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia

Atrium Health Concierge Care Lake Norman

9623 Bailey Road, Suite 220, 
Cornelius, NC 
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients

Christopher Messitt is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Cornelius, North Carolina. Dr. Messitt is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia, Thyroid Dysgenesis, Congenital Hypothyroidism, and Newborn Jaundice. Dr. Messitt is board certified in American Board Of Family Medicine. Dr. Messitt is currently accepting new patients.

Advanced in Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia
General Practice
Advanced in Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia
General Practice

Texas Health Family Care

1001 East Buckingham Road, Ste 110, 
Richardson, TX 
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Richard Townsend is a primary care provider, practicing in General Practice in Richardson, Texas. Dr. Townsend is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia. He is also highly rated in 26 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Vitamin D Deficiency, Gilbert Syndrome, High Cholesterol, and Nephrosclerosis.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia
Neonatology
Elite in Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia
Neonatology
Referral may be required

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford

725 Welch Rd, 
Palo Alto, CA 
Languages Spoken:
English

Vinod Bhutani is a Neonatologist practicing medicine in Palo Alto, California. Dr. Bhutani is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Bilirubin Encephalopathy, Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia, Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, and Jaundice.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?

Babies who are treated can have a good outcome. If the condition is not treated, severe complications develop. This disorder tends to improve with time.

What are the possible complications of Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?

Death or severe brain and nervous system (neurological) problems can occur if the condition is not treated.

When should I contact a medical professional for Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?

This problem is most often found in the first few days after delivery. However, contact your health care provider if you notice your baby's skin turning yellow. There are other causes for jaundice in the newborn that are easily treated.

Genetic counseling can help families understand the condition, its risks of recurring, and how to care for the person.

How do I prevent Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?

Phototherapy can help prevent serious complications of this condition.

What are the latest Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia Clinical Trials?
A Prospective Open-label Randomized Controlled Trial , Evaluating the Efficacy of Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) as an Adjuvant to Phototherapy in Neonates With Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia

Summary: This is a prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial conducted at Lattakia University Hospital (Tishreen University), aiming to evaluate the efficacy of Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) as an adjuvant to triple phototherapy in the management of indirect hyperbilirubinemia in neonates ≥34 weeks of gestation. Eligible neonates will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A: continuous ...

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Efficacy and Safety of Oral Zinc Sulphate and Ursodeoxycholic Acid as Adjuvants to Phototherapy in Management of Neonatal Non-Hemolytic Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia

Summary: Neonatal jaundice, or neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, is a common medical issue in the first two weeks of life, causing prolonged hospitalization and readmissions. It results from elevated total serum bilirubin (TSB) and is manifested as yellowish discoloration of the skin, sclera, and mucous membrane. Clinical jaundice appears in about 60% of term neonates and 80% of preterm infants within the first...

What are the Latest Advances for Transient Familial Hyperbilirubinemia?
Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: July 28, 2025
Published By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

National Institutes of Health. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center website. Transient familial neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/2791/transient-familial-neonatal-hyperbilirubinemia. Updated February 2026. Accessed March 4, 2026.

Rosenberg WMC, Badrick T, Lo SF, Tanwar S. Liver disease. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 51.

Ryan KS, Kliegman RM. Jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 137.

Taylor TD, Wheatley MA, Lidofsky SD. Jaundice. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 21.