 Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem for term and preterm newborns in intensive care nurseries around the world. It is a condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a substance that is naturally released when red blood cells break down. In the early newborn period, multiple factors lead to an abnormally elevated bilirubin level. Large amounts of bilirubin can circulate to tissues in the brain and may cause seizures or brain damage. About 6.1 of term newborns and a higher percentage of preterm newborns develop hyperbilirubinemia that requires treatment. Initiating treatment depends on many factors, including the cause of the hyperbilirubinemia, the level of serum indirect bilirubin, the rate of indirect bilirubin rise, and the age of the patient. The goal of treatment is to keep the level of bilirubin from rising to dangerous levels. 