Newborn jaundice is when there is yellowing of baby’s skin and white part of the eye. It usually occurs 2 to 3 days after delivery and occurs as a result of high bilirubin level in the baby’s blood. Newborn jaundice is usually mild and goes away on it’s own. However, in severe cases quick treatment is required to prevent brain damage.
 

 

What is the cause of newborn jaundice ?

 
The most common type of jaundice  known as  Physiologic Jaundice is caused by elevated bilirubin level. Bilirubin is a yellow substance that forms as a result of  red blood cells breakdown. Bilirubin is processed and removed by the liver. During pregnancy, your liver remove bilirubin for your baby. However after birth, the baby’s liver may not be matured enough to remove bilirubin therefore resulting in jaundice. Once the baby begins to mature, the jaundice will subside. This usually take about  couple of weeks.

Other causes of jaundice are :

• prematurity
• Rh incompatibility
• bruising at birth
• a genetic condition such as G6PD deficiency
• problem with baby’s liver
• an infection such as sepsis
• problem with baby’s blood such as clotting issues
• issues with breastfeeding

Who is at risk ?

 
Some babies are more likely to experience jaundice than others. These include ;

• premature babies
• breastfed babies especially those who are not feeding well
• babies with  East Asian or Mediterranean ethnic descent

What are the symptoms of newborn jaundice ?

 
Symptoms of jaundice include yellowing of skin and eyes. However in severe cases, the babies may feel very sleepy and  have a hard time eating. Some babies may also be fussy and others may have few wet or dirty diaper.

What is the effect of newborn jaundice on my baby ?

 
Jaundice is usually not harmful but it could be the cause of an underlying medical condition that may harm the baby. Untreated jaundice which results in bilirubin level higher  than   25mg could result in cerebral palsy, brain damage or deafness. Jaundice can cause babies to be sleepy resulting in them not feeding well.

How is newborn jaundice treated ?

 
Most babies with jaundice do not need treatment. Your doctor may recommend breastfeeding your baby more so that he can have more bowel movements to get rid of the bilirubin. Jaundice usually clears up within 2 weeks. If it still persists after 3 weeks, then your doctor may recommend a treatment option depending on the baby’s age and how high the bilirubin level is.

These treatment options include :

•  Phototherapy  treatment also called light therapy or bili lights. Your baby is put under these special lights to help break down the bilirubin in his skin. The baby wears just diapers with shield covering his eyes. Phototherapy can also be done at home in which case the baby is placed in a special blanket  that has tiny bright lights in it.
• exchange transfusion replaces baby’s blood with fresh blood in small amounts. This is done if phototherapy does not work.
• Intravenous immunoglobulin (also called IVIg) is done if you and your baby have different blood types. Your baby is given  immunoglobulin (a blood protein) through a needle into a vein

 
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