Infant Jaundice

Newborn babies sometimes develop a yellowing of their skin and eyes, called jaundice. This happens when there's too much bilirubin in their blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance made when old red blood cells break down.

Jaundice is quite common, especially in babies born early (premature) or those who are breastfed. This is often because their livers aren't fully developed yet. They can't process and remove the bilirubin from their blood as efficiently as older babies. In some cases, an underlying medical problem might cause the jaundice.

For most babies born around 35 weeks or later, jaundice isn't a serious concern and doesn't need treatment. However, in a small number of babies, the bilirubin level can get dangerously high. This is more likely if the baby has certain risk factors. A very high bilirubin level can, in rare cases, lead to brain damage.

Babies' skin and eye whites sometimes turn yellow a few days after birth. This is called jaundice. It usually shows up between the second and fourth days of life.

You can check for jaundice by gently pressing on your baby's forehead or nose. If the skin looks yellow where you pressed, it might mean your baby has a mild form of jaundice. If there's no yellowing, the skin should just look slightly paler than usual for a brief moment.

Make sure you're checking your baby in good light, like natural sunlight if possible. This helps you see the color changes more clearly.

Hospitals routinely check newborns for jaundice before sending them home. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests checking babies for jaundice during their hospital stay, at least every eight to twelve hours. This is important because jaundice often shows up as a yellowing of the skin.

It's most common to see jaundice between three and seven days after birth, when bilirubin levels are usually highest. If your baby leaves the hospital sooner than 72 hours after birth, you should schedule a follow-up appointment within two days of their discharge to check for jaundice.

Look for these signs that might mean your baby has severe jaundice or problems related to too much bilirubin:

• Yellowing skin: Notice if your baby's skin, including their tummy, arms, and legs, is turning yellow.
• Yellow eyes: Check the whites of your baby's eyes for a yellow tint.
• Lethargy or illness: Does your baby seem unusually sleepy or unwell? Is it hard to wake them?
• Poor feeding or weight gain: Is your baby having trouble feeding or not gaining weight as expected?
• High-pitched cries: Pay attention to any unusual or high-pitched crying.
• Other concerning symptoms: If you notice anything else that worries you, contact your doctor.

If you see any of these signs, call your doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of jaundice are essential for your baby's health.

Jaundice, a yellowish coloring of the skin and eyes, is most often caused by too much bilirubin in the body. Bilirubin is a natural substance made when the body breaks down old red blood cells.

Babies make more bilirubin than adults, especially in the first few days after birth. This is because their bodies are producing and breaking down red blood cells at a faster rate. Their livers, which are still developing, aren't always able to process and remove the extra bilirubin quickly enough. This buildup leads to jaundice. This type of jaundice, which happens because of normal newborn development, is called physiological jaundice. It usually shows up around the second or third day after birth.

Jaundice, especially severe jaundice that can lead to problems, can be more likely in some babies than others. Here are some of the reasons:

• Being born early (premature): Babies born before their due date (before 38 weeks) might not process a substance called bilirubin as quickly as full-term babies. They may also eat less and have fewer bowel movements. This means less bilirubin is removed from their bodies through their stools.

• Birth injuries: If a baby gets a lot of bruises during birth, this can lead to higher bilirubin levels because the body breaks down more red blood cells to heal the bruises.

• Blood type differences: If a mother and baby have different blood types, the mother's body might produce antibodies that attack the baby's red blood cells. This rapid breakdown of red blood cells increases bilirubin.

• Breastfeeding difficulties: Babies who are breastfed might be more prone to jaundice, especially if they have trouble latching onto the breast or aren't getting enough milk. Not getting enough fluids or calories can contribute to jaundice. However, the benefits of breastfeeding are still very important, so it's recommended. It's crucial to make sure the baby is getting enough to eat and drinking enough fluids.

• Race: Studies show that babies of East Asian descent are more likely to develop jaundice.

Important Note: This information is for general knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about your baby's jaundice, consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

High levels of bilirubin, which can cause a yellowish coloring of the skin and eyes (jaundice), can lead to serious health problems if not addressed.

Proper feeding is the best way to prevent infant jaundice. Babies who are breastfed need to be fed frequently, about 8 to 12 times in the first few days. This helps their bodies get rid of waste products that can sometimes lead to jaundice. For babies who are formula-fed, a good starting point is 1 to 2 ounces (about 30 to 60 milliliters) of formula every 2 to 3 hours during the first week. This helps them pass waste and also helps prevent jaundice. Consistent feeding helps keep their little bodies healthy and reduces the risk of jaundice.

Doctors usually spot infant jaundice by looking at a baby's skin. But they also need to check the amount of bilirubin in the baby's blood. Bilirubin levels (how severe the jaundice is) help decide what treatment is needed. There are several ways to check for jaundice and measure bilirubin:

• Physical Exam: The doctor will look at the baby's skin and eyes. Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes is a sign of jaundice.

• Blood Test: A small blood sample is taken from the baby. This is the most accurate way to measure the bilirubin level in the blood.

• Transcutaneous Bilirubin Test: A special device, called a transcutaneous bilirubinometer, shines a light on the baby's skin. The device measures how much light reflects back, which helps estimate the bilirubin level. This is a quick and non-invasive way to get an idea of the bilirubin level.

• Other Tests (if needed): If the doctor suspects a problem causing the jaundice, like an infection or other medical condition, they might order additional blood or urine tests to figure out the underlying cause. These extra tests help pinpoint the reason for the jaundice.

Many newborns develop a yellowish tint to their skin, called jaundice. This is often a mild condition that goes away on its own within a few weeks. However, if the jaundice is moderate or severe, your baby might need extra time in the hospital nursery or a return visit.

Doctors have different ways to treat jaundice, aiming to lower the level of a substance called bilirubin in the baby's blood. Here are some common approaches:

• Better Nutrition: To prevent weight loss, which could worsen jaundice, your doctor might recommend feeding your baby more frequently or giving them extra formula to make sure they're getting enough nutrients. This ensures the baby's body has the resources to process bilirubin effectively.

• Light Therapy (Phototherapy): A special light, usually blue-green, is used to help break down the bilirubin. This light changes the bilirubin's structure, allowing the body to get rid of it through urine and bowel movements. While undergoing this treatment, your baby will wear only a diaper and eye patches to protect their eyes. The light can come from a lamp or a pad/mattress placed directly on the baby.

• IV Immunoglobulin (IVIg): Sometimes, jaundice is linked to differences in blood types between the mother and baby. This can cause the baby to have antibodies from the mother's blood that speed up the breakdown of red blood cells. IVIg is a protein solution given through a vein. It can help reduce the antibodies, thus decreasing jaundice and potentially avoiding a more serious procedure. However, whether it's always effective isn't completely certain.

• Exchange Transfusion: In very rare cases, when jaundice is severe and other treatments don't work, a procedure called an exchange transfusion might be necessary. This involves carefully replacing some of the baby's blood with donor blood. This helps to dilute the bilirubin and any harmful antibodies in the baby's blood. This procedure is done in a special neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for the most critical cases.

These treatments are designed to help your baby's body naturally eliminate the excess bilirubin and get back to health. If you have any concerns about your baby's jaundice, please talk to your doctor.