Neonatal Jaundice: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Jaundice in newborn babies is a common concern but is usually harmless. It can the yellowing of the skin and even the eyes. The medical term used to denote jaundice in newborn babies is neonatal jaundice. The symptoms of jaundice in newborn baby usually develop two days after birth and tend to improve without treatment within two weeks.

In this article, we will understand neonatal jaundice in more detail and learn its symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention.

Why does my infant have jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice occurs when there is a build-up of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance which is produced when the red blood cells that carry oxygen in the body are broken down. Since an infant’s liver is not yet fully mature, it’s less effective at removing the bilirubin from the blood. By the time babies turn about 2 weeks old, their liver becomes more effective at processing bilirubin and jaundice in newborn babies corrects itself.

How frequent is jaundice in newborns?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common conditions that affects newborn babies. According to research, 6 out of every 10 babies develop neonatal jaundice. This number goes up in premature babies where 8 out of every 10 babies develop jaundice. However, jaundice in newborn baby is often not a cause of concern and only a few babies require treatment.

Symptoms of neonatal jaundice

If your baby has neonatal jaundice, they will present the following symptoms:

• Slightly yellow looking skin

• Prominent yellowing in the eyes, inside the mouth, on the soles of their feet and palms of the hand

• Sleepiness

• Not wanting to feed or feeding as well as usual

• Having a dark yellow urine

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• Having a pale poop

Causes of neonatal jaundice

The following can be the causes of neonatal jaundice:

1. Underdeveloped liver

Neonatal jaundice occurs when there is a build-up of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance which is produced when the red blood cells that carry oxygen in the body are broken down. Since an infant’s liver is not yet fully mature, it’s less effective at removing the bilirubin from the blood.

2. Breastfeeding

Due to some unknown reasons, breastfeeding may increase the chances of jaundice in newborn babies. However, there’s no reason to stop breastfeeding your baby as the symptoms normally improve within a few weeks. Besides the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh any risks associated with jaundice.

3. Underlying health conditions

Sometimes neonatal jaundice may also be caused by an underlying health condition, which is known as pathological jaundice. Some of these underlying conditions can be blood group incompatibility, an underactive thyroid gland, rhesus disease, Crigler-Najjar syndrome etc.

How to diagnose newborn jaundice?

Your baby will undergo a newborn physical examination after 72 hours of birth during which they will be checked for neonatal jaundice. But you should also keep an eye out for symptoms of newborn jaundice as it may develop a few weeks after returning home. If the doctor thinks your baby has neonatal jaundice, they may also conduct a bilirubin test.

Treatment of newborn jaundice

Neonatal jaundice usually gets better on its own within two weeks and most babies don’t require treatment. However, if your baby has a high level of bilirubin in their blood and their symptoms don’t improve over time, they may require treatment. The doctor may recommend admitting the baby to the hospital and treating them with phototherapy or an exchange transfusion.

Understanding baby jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is a common condition among babies and is not caused by any fault of the mother or the baby. If your baby develops newborn jaundice, it is because their liver is not yet fully developed and is less effective in removing the excess bilirubin in their blood.

How to prevent newborn jaundice?

Although there is no way to prevent neonatal jaundice, adequate feeding may reduce the chances of newborn jaundice. The best way to prevent jaundice is to feed the baby adequately. Breastfed babies should be given 8-12 feedings each day for the first few days of life. Whereas, formula-fed babies should be given 30-60 ml of formula milk every 2-3 hours for the first week of life.

When to call a physician?

You should call your doctor if your baby presents the following signs or symptoms as it may indicate a severe jaundice or complications:

• The baby’s skin and eyes become more yellow

• The skin on baby’s arms, legs or abdomen looks yellow

• The baby seems lazy, sick or hard to awaken

• The baby is not gaining weight or eating properly

• The baby cries at a high pitch

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If your baby shows any other unusual sign or symptom that concerns you, it’s best to consult the doctor. Neonatal jaundice is often not a cause for worry but you shouldn’t overlook any symptoms and give your baby the care and attention they need at the earliest.