It is not usually serious. Most cases clear up easily.
Babies with jaundice have a yellow color to the skin and eyes.
What causes jaundice?
Jaundice is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood.
Everybody has red blood cells. The red blood cells live and then die. Bilirubin
is what is left after red blood cells die.
Older children and adults get rid of the extra bilirubin. Some babies can't.
Babies sometimes have too much bilirubin because:
The baby's liver is not fully developed and can't get rid of bilirubin
yet.
The baby's liver can't keep up with all of the bilirubin that the blood
is making. (This sometimes happens when a baby is bruised during birth.)
Too much bilirubin gets in the intestines before your baby can get rid
of it in his stools.
There are several types of jaundice:
Physiological (normal) jaundice
Jaundice of prematurity
Breast milk jaundice
Blood group incompatibility
Who can get jaundice?
Jaundice is a condition in newborns.
Boy babies are at higher risk than girls.
Newborns get it because their livers are not yet fully developed.
It is not common in older children and adults. Most do not have problems
getting rid of extra bilirubin.
What are the symptoms of jaundice?
Jaundice usually begins around the 2nd or 3rd day after birth.
It begins at the head. The face turns yellow first and sometimes the eyes.
Later, the chest, stomach, then legs may also turn yellow.
Jaundice is not painful, but it may make your baby tired.
If you press your finger to your baby's forehead or nose and the skin looks
yellow where you pressed, your baby may have jaundice. This test works for
children of any skin color.
Is jaundice contagious?
No. Jaundice is not contagious.
How is jaundice treated?
The doctor will take a sample of your baby's blood to see how much bilirubin
is in it.
This test will tell the doctor how serious the jaundice is.
Mild cases usually clear up on their own in 5-7 days. The baby's body usually
takes care of the extra bilirubin.
If your baby has a high level of jaundice, he might need phototherapy. A
special UV light will help your baby's liver get rid of the bilirubin.
More feedings of breast milk or formula might help your baby. Ask your doctor.
In few cases, a blood exchange is needed to give your baby fresh blood.
In a few cases, a doctor may ask you to stop breastfeeding for awhile. You
can nurse again once your baby is better.
How long does jaundice last?
Jaundice usually goes away in 7-10 days.
It may last longer if you breast-feed your baby or if your baby is premature.
How can jaundice be prevented?
Jaundice is the body's way of taking care of itself. It is a normal process.
You can help by giving frequent feedings and watching your baby.
When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor immediately if your child has symptoms of jaundice in the
first 24 hours of life.
Call the doctor immediately if your child has jaundice of the arms or legs.
Call the doctor if your child has a fever over 100 degrees F (or 37.8 degrees
C) or if he seems sick.
Call the doctor if the color gets darker after the 7th day or if jaundice
is not gone after the 15th day.
Call the doctor if your child is not gaining weight.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns.
Quick Answers
Jaundice is a common condition in newborns.
Jaundice is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood.
Newborns get it because their livers are not yet fully developed and can't
get rid of the bilirubin.
Jaundice can cause the face, eyes, chest, stomach, and legs to turn yellow.
Jaundice is not contagious.
Mild cases usually clear up on their own.
Jaundice usually goes away in 7-10 days.
Call the doctor immediately if your child has symptoms of jaundice in the
first 24 hours of life.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. Jaundice. Medem. 2000 (cited 2001 October
16). Available from; URL: http://www.medem.com/search/article_display.cfm?path=n:&mstr=/ZZZG6KKMH4C.html&soc=AAP&srch_typ=NAV_SERCH
MayoClinic. Jaundice in Newborns. 2001 July 18 (cited 2001 October 16).
Available from: URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/home?id=DS00107
Rutherford, K M.D. Jaundice in Healthy Newborns. 2001 June (cited 2001 October
16). Available from: URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=&article_set=21690
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