Newborn jaundice is not harmful most of the time. For most babies, jaundice will get better without treatment within 1 to 2 weeks.
A very high level of bilirubin can damage the brain. This is called kernicterus. The condition is almost always diagnosed before the level becomes high enough to cause this damage. Treatment is usually effective. Jaundice is an emergency if the baby has a fever, has become listless, or is not feeding well. Jaundice may be dangerous in high-risk newborns. Jaundice is generally NOT dangerous in babies who were born full term and who do not have other medical problems.
Call the infant's provider if:. Talk with your baby's provider if you have questions. In newborns, some degree of jaundice is normal and probably not preventable. The risk for serious jaundice can often be reduced by feeding babies at least 8 to 12 times a day for the first several days and by carefully identifying infants at highest risk.
All pregnant women should be tested for blood type and unusual antibodies. If the mother is Rh negative, follow-up testing on the infant's cord is recommended. This may also be done if the mother's blood type is O positive. Careful monitoring of all babies during the first 5 days of life can prevent most complications of jaundice. This includes:. Jaundice of the newborn; Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia; Bili lights - jaundice; Infant - yellow skin; Newborn - yellow skin. Hematology and oncology.
Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Neonatal jaundice and liver diseases. Kliegman RM, St. Digestive system disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. The neonate. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Updated by: Neil K. Editorial team. Newborn jaundice. It is normal for a baby's bilirubin level to be a bit high after birth.
Two types of jaundice may occur in newborns who are breastfed. Both types are usually harmless. Breastfeeding jaundice is seen in breastfed babies during the first week of life. It is more likely to occur when babies do not nurse well or the mother's milk is slow to come, leading to dehydration.
Find out more about the symptoms of jaundice in babies. Your baby will be examined for signs of jaundice within 72 hours of being born as part of the newborn physical examination. If your baby develops signs of jaundice after this time, speak to your midwife, health visitor or a GP as soon as possible for advice.
While jaundice is not usually a cause for concern, it's important to determine whether your baby needs treatment. If you're monitoring your baby's jaundice at home, it's also important to contact your midwife straight away if your baby's symptoms quickly get worse or they become very reluctant to feed.
Find out more about diagnosing jaundice in babies. Jaundice is caused by the build-up of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body, are broken down. Jaundice is common in newborn babies because babies have a high number of red blood cells in their blood, which are broken down and replaced frequently.
Also, a newborn baby's liver is not fully developed, so it's less effective at removing the bilirubin from the blood. By the time a baby is about 2 weeks old, their liver is more effective at processing bilirubin, so jaundice often corrects itself by this age without causing any harm.
The best preventive of infant jaundice is adequate feeding. Breast-fed infants should have eight to 12 feedings a day for the first several days of life. Formula-fed infants usually should have 1 to 2 ounces about 30 to 60 milliliters of formula every two to three hours for the first week. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Infant jaundice is yellow discoloration of a newborn baby's skin and eyes. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Wong RJ, et al. Clinical manifestations of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm infants. Accessed April 2, Maisels MJ, et al. American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia. Management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation.
Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia. American Academy of Pediatrics. Hay WW, et al. The newborn infant. New York, N. Wong RJ, et al. Evaluation of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm infants.
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