Bilirubin displacement by ceftriaxone in neonates: evaluation by determination of 'free' bilirubin and erythrocyte-bound bilirubin.

Determination of 'free' bilirubin, erythrocyte-bound bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin was used to test the effects of ceftriaxone on the binding of bilirubin to albumin. This study, performed on blood samples from icteric neonates, showed that the addition of ceftriaxone produced an increase of free bilirubin and erythrocyte-bound bilirubin and a decrease of unconjugated bilirubin. Ceftriaxone displays a significant displacing effect at concentrations obtained during therapeutic use and should be used with caution in high-risk jaundiced infants.