A newborn is observed to be mildly jaundiced.Bilirubin is not found in the urine.A relative absence of which of the following liver proteins probably accounts for the symptoms?
A)Bile salt export pump (BSEP)
B)Organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP)
C)Uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)
D)Multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2)
E)Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette proteins 5 and 8 (ABC5/ABC8

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The absence of UGT (Uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase) is responsible for jaundice in newborns. UGT helps to conjugate bilirubin in the liver, which is then excreted in bile. In newborns, the liver may not yet have sufficient UGT activity to eliminate bilirubin efficiently, resulting in an excess in the bloodstream and mild jaundice. The absence of other liver proteins mentioned would result in different symptoms and conditions.

A Newborn Is Observed to Be Mildly Jaundiced