Neonatal jaundice is a common condition in newborn babies in which the skin and whites of the eyes appear yellow due to an increased level of bilirubin in the blood. It commonly develops during the first few days after birth and is often temporary. However, severe jaundice can be dangerous if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
What Causes Jaundice in Newborns?
Jaundice occurs when bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells, builds up in a baby's blood. A newborn's liver may not yet be mature enough to remove bilirubin efficiently.
Common causes include:
- Physiological jaundice: Common in otherwise healthy newborns during the first few days of life.
- Prematurity: Preterm babies are at greater risk because their liver is less mature.
- Breastfeeding-associated jaundice: May occur when a baby does not receive enough breast milk, particularly in the early days.
- Blood group incompatibility: Conditions such as Rh or ABO incompatibility can cause increased red blood cell breakdown.
- Infections and other medical conditions: These can sometimes cause significant or prolonged jaundice.
What Are the Symptoms of Neonatal Jaundice?
Parents may notice:
- Yellow discoloration of the skin or whites of the eyes.
- Yellowing that begins on the face and spreads towards the chest, abdomen, arms and legs.
- Poor feeding or difficulty waking the baby, particularly in more severe cases.
Important: Jaundice cannot be reliably assessed by skin colour alone. A bilirubin measurement may be needed to determine whether treatment is required.
How Is Neonatal Jaundice Diagnosed?
A pediatrician assesses the baby's age in hours, gestational age, feeding, weight and clinical condition. Bilirubin is measured using a transcutaneous bilirubin meter or a blood test. Treatment decisions depend on the bilirubin level, the baby's age in hours, gestational age and risk factors.
How Is Neonatal Jaundice Treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of jaundice.
- Frequent feeding: Effective breastfeeding, usually 8–12 feeds in 24 hours, helps babies pass bilirubin through stools.
- Phototherapy: Special medical blue light helps break down bilirubin so it can be eliminated from the body.
- Intensive treatment: Very high bilirubin levels may require intensive phototherapy and urgent specialist care. Exchange transfusion is needed in selected severe cases.
Do not give water, sugar water or other home remedies, and do not expose your newborn to direct sunlight as a treatment for jaundice.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
Seek urgent medical assessment if:
- Jaundice appears during the first 24 hours after birth.
- Yellowing is rapidly increasing or spreading.
- Your baby is feeding poorly, unusually sleepy or difficult to wake.
- Your baby has a high-pitched cry, abnormal stiffness, arching or seizures.
- Jaundice persists beyond two weeks in a term baby, or earlier if the baby has pale stools or dark urine.
Expert Care for Newborn Jaundice
Early assessment and appropriate treatment help prevent complications of severe hyperbilirubinemia. If you notice yellowing of your newborn's skin or eyes, consult a pediatrician promptly rather than waiting for it to disappear on its own.
Dr Shubhanshu Saini
Consultant Pediatrician | Newborn and Neonatal Care
Services include newborn assessment, neonatal jaundice evaluation, phototherapy guidance, breastfeeding support and care for premature babies.
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace an individual medical assessment.