Fetal Intrahepatic Cholestasis Secondary to BO Hemolytic Disease

A rare occurrence of severe, direct hyperbilirubinemia in an infant with BO incompatibility was noted at four hours of age. Severe fetal hemolysis and markedly elevated indirect bilirubin levels might have caused induction of conjugating enzymes during fetal life in this case. Intrahepatic cholestasis was responsible for persistent conjugated hyperbilirubinemia after birth. This responded favorably to cholestyramine therapy.