Jaundice and Your Newborn

 Congratulations on the birth of your baby!  In the first week of Baby’s life, it is important that your infant is monitored for jaundice.  Jaundice is actually the yellowish color of the skin seen in many newborns.  It is caused by an accumulation of bilirubin in the baby’s blood.  Before birth, mother’s liver removes the excess bilirubin from the baby’s blood. After delivery, it takes baby’s liver a few days to adjust to doing this work on its own.  As the liver tries to catch up, the bilirubin collects in the blood, causing the yellowish color to be seen on the baby’s skin.  It is apparent first in the face and moves progressively down the body until the liver is able to clear the bilirubin. 

 Most of the time, this process takes only a few days.  However, in some instances, the bilirubin can get quite high and in very rare cases, can cause brain damage.  For this reason, your baby is checked for jaundice in the hospital and should have follow up within the first few days after being discharged to home.

 Jaundice can be best identified by looking at the baby in good light, such as bright sunlight or fluorescent lighting.  A simple blood test can be done to determine the exact level of bilirubin in the baby’s blood and to assist the physician in planning care.  It is important that baby is eating well, whether being breast or bottle fed, to assist in the excretion of bilirubin.  Contact your pediatrician for any feeding difficulties or concerns about your baby’s jaundice.  Early detection and follow up will help prevent the harmful effects of jaundice.