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Jaundice in Newborns(1)
may interest youJaundice in Newborns(2)
Jaundice is the yellow color seen on the skin
of many newborn babies. Jaundice is caused by a buildup of a bilirubin in your
baby’s blood. It happens because their livers aren’t developed enough to get
rid of the bilirubin. Jaundice is very common and usually goes away on its own.
Sometimes babies need treatment with phototherapy.
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OVERVIEW
What is jaundice in newborns?
Jaundice in newborns is the yellow coloring in
an infant’s skin. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin (pronounced
“bil-ih-ROO-bin”) builds up in your baby’s blood. Hyperbilirubinemia is the
medical term for this condition.
Bilirubin is a yellow substance your body
creates when red blood cells break down. While you’re pregnant, your liver
removes bilirubin for your baby. But after birth, your baby’s liver must begin
removing bilirubin. If your baby’s liver isn’t developed enough, it may not be
able to get rid of bilirubin. When excess bilirubin builds up, your baby’s skin
may appear yellow.
Jaundice in infants is common. It’s
usually not serious and goes away within a couple of weeks. But it’s important
for your baby’s healthcare provider to check them for jaundice. Severe jaundice
can lead to brain damage if it goes untreated.
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What are the different types of
newborn jaundice?
There are a few different types of jaundice in
newborns.
Physiological jaundice
The most common type of jaundice in newborns
is physiological jaundice. This type of jaundice is normal. Physiological
jaundice develops in most newborns by their second or third day of life. After
your baby’s liver develops, it will start to get rid of excess
bilirubin. Physiological jaundice usually isn’t serious and goes away on its
own within two weeks.
Breastfeeding jaundice
Jaundice is more common in breastfed babies
than formula-fed babies. Breastfeeding jaundice frequently occurs
during your baby’s first week of life. It happens when your baby doesn’t get enough
breast milk. It can occur due to nursing difficulties or because your milk
hasn’t come in yet. Breastfeeding jaundice may take longer to go away.
Breast milk jaundice
Breast milk jaundice is different than
breastfeeding jaundice. Substances in your breast milk can affect how your
baby’s liver breaks down bilirubin. This can cause a bilirubin buildup. Breast
milk jaundice may appear after your baby’s first week of life and may take a
month or more to disappear.
Other types of jaundice can occur if your baby
has an unrelated medication condition.
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How common is jaundice in newborns?
Jaundice in newborns is a very common
condition. Up to 60% of full-term babies develop jaundice during their first
week of life. As many as 80% of premature babies develop jaundice during their first week of life.
What are the signs and symptoms of
jaundice in newborns?
The main sign of jaundice is the yellowing of
your baby’s skin. You can see it best in natural lighting, such as in front of a
window. It usually appears in your baby’s face first. The whites of your baby’s
eyes and under their tongue may look yellow. As the level of bilirubin
increases, the yellowing may move to your baby’s chest, belly (abdomen), arms
and legs. Jaundice may be difficult to see if your baby has darker skin. But
you should still be able to tell if your baby has jaundice by the color of
their eyes and under their tongue.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
Comparing a healthy newborn with a newborn
with jaundice
What causes jaundice in newborns?
Jaundice happens when your baby’s blood has
too much bilirubin. Bilirubin is a chemical your body makes when it breaks down
old red blood cells. Your liver normally filters bilirubin from your
blood. Your body gets rid of it when you poop.
If your baby’s liver hasn’t developed enough
to get rid of bilirubin, it can start to build up. This buildup of bilirubin
causes your baby’s skin to look yellow. Most babies develop jaundice in their
first few days of life. This is because it takes a few days for your baby's
liver to develop and get better at removing bilirubin.
Severe jaundice can occur if your
baby has:
- A
blood infection (sepsis).
- A
different blood type than you.
- Bruising
from a difficult birth.
- Too
many red blood cells.
- A
low oxygen level (hypoxia).
- A
liver condition such as biliary atresia.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS
How is jaundice in newborns
diagnosed?
Your baby’s healthcare provider will check for
signs of jaundice while you’re still in the hospital. Your baby’s bilirubin
level will be highest when they’re three to five days old. It’s important that
your baby’s healthcare provider checks them again within this time frame.
Your baby’s healthcare provider can estimate
your baby’s bilirubin level by placing a probe on your baby’s head. This test
shows the transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) level. If this level is high, your
baby’s healthcare provider will order a blood test to confirm the results. They’ll prick your baby’s heel
to collect a small sample of blood. The blood test shows the total serum
bilirubin (TSB) level.
The American Academy of Pediatrics uses a newborn
jaundice level chart to determine if a baby needs treatment. The chart is based
on your baby’s total serum bilirubin level and age.
|
Total serum bilirubin (TSB) level |
Age of newborn |
|
Above 10 milligrams |
Less than 24 hours old |
|
Above 15 milligrams |
24 to 48 hours old |
|
Above 18 milligrams |
49 to 72 hours old |
|
Above 20 milligrams |
Older than 72 hours. |
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