Is Newborn Jaundice Dangerous?

Newborn jaundice is one of several terms to describe a condition that's relatively common among newborn infants. This type of jaundice, which is also called neonatal jaundice or simply baby jaundice, sometimes appears in the second or third day after delivery and lasts until, approximately, the end of the first week.

Usually, newborn jaundice goes away on its own. Treatment is generally not needed although, in rare cases, complications can cause serious, long term health threats, including damage to the brain.

Newborn jaundice is characterized by a noticeable discoloration of the skin and eyes, which take on a yellow shade. Typically, this yellowing starts in the facial area and then shows up on other parts of the body.

Any baby can have newborn jaundice, but it tends to happen more often in babies delivered before the 36-week mark of the pregnancy. 

Newborn jaundice is caused by red blood cells that break down and produce a yellow-colored pigment called bilirubin. Often, there is excess bilirubin in newborns because they have a lot of red blood cells.

Before babies leave the womb, red blood cells are their only source of oxygen since they can't breathe outside air. After they're born, they don't need as many red blood cells as before. As these excess blood cells break down, they produce more bilirubin than the liver can process. This bilirubin causes the yellow tone in the skin and eyes.

Newborn jaundice appears more often in premature babies because their livers aren't fully developed yet, and are not ready to handle the amount of bilirubin their red blood cells produce.

Once again, newborn jaundice is relatively common. But sometimes it can be a symptom of some other underlying problem that needs to be addressed. Such cases are usually caused by liver problems, a blood infection, viral or bacterial infections, or internal bleeding.

Newborn jaundice symptoms

The classic symptoms, as mentioned above, are the yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes. If this discoloration is slight, you can do a simple test to check. Just press your finger - gently - to your infant's forehead or nose. If jaundice is present, the skin will look yellow. If not, the skin will return to its normal color in a second or two.

Symptoms of an unusual underlying condition might include:

• difficulty sleeping,
• not gaining weight quickly enough,
• not eating normally,
• a fever, and
• unusually high pitched crying.

Treatment

Mild cases of newborn jaundice usually need no treatment and go away naturally in two or three weeks.

Severe cases may require hospitalization aimed at reducing bilirubin levels. There are certain procedures designed to bring bilirubin levels down, including

Additional feedings These can cause more frequent bowel movements, which will remove bilirubin more quickly.

Adding baby formula or expressed milk to supplement feedings This is especially helpful if gaining weight or dehydration are a problem. Talk to your doctor about this.

Phototherapy, which involves special lighting. This changes the structure of bilirubin molecules, making them easier to pass out of the body.

Certain kinds of intravenous treatments may be needed if jaundice results from differences in blood type between the baby and the mother.

An exchange blood transfusion, which is uncommon, but is used sometimes when other treatments have been ineffective.

Conclusion

Most hospitals routinely check for newborn jaundice before they discharge you. Nonetheless, it pays to be watchful in the days after you go home.

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