Although black race is considered protective against hyperbilirubinemia, black infants appear at increased risk of kernicterus. We found that although black infants have a lower risk of developing total serum bilirubin levels >/= 20 mg/dL than white infants, they appear at greater risk of developing levels >/= 30 mg/dL.
Black Race Is Not Protective Against Hazardous Bilirubin Levels
Authors: Wickremasinghe AC; Kuzniewicz MW; Newman TB
J Pediatr. 2013 May;162(5):1068-9. Epub 2013 Feb 10.