Enhancement of Glucuronide-Conjugating Capacity in a Hyperbilirubinemic Infant Due to Apparent Enzyme Induction by Phenobarbital

Abstract

GLUCURONIDE conjugation is an important mechanism for the elimination of endogenous and exogenous substances from the human body.1 A defect in this mechanism leads to increased concentrations of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood, and the latter is therefore frequently a reflection of impaired glucuronide synthesis.2 Patients with unusually low capacity for the conjugation of bilirubin show a similar reduced capacity for glucuronide conjugation of certain drugs that are ordinarily metabolized and eliminated by that process.3 , 4 Congenital, nonobstructive, nonhemolytic jaundice, which is thought to be due to a functional impairment of the glucuronyl transferase system, presents a particularly serious and difficult . . .