Yellow baby

JAUNDICE Jaundice is the yellowish coloring of the skin and eyes that is sometimes seen in newborns. Jaundice is caused by hyperbilirubinemia—a condition in which a substance called bilirubin builds up in the bloodstream and is deposited in the skin. Your baby is tested for high bilirubin before leaving the hospital. A little jaundice is common in newborns for the first 3 to 5 days. The yellow color of jaundice starts at the head and gradually moves downward on the baby. As the baby’s liver breaks down bilirubin, the jaundice gradually disappears. However, in up to 5-6% of babies, bilirubin levels are high enough to require treatment. Treatment includes phototherapy (fluorescent light treatment) and frequent feedings of breast milk or formula. In most cases, treatment can be done at home, but sometimes hospitalization is required. If your baby’s bilirubin level is above normal in the hospital—but not high enough to require treatment—your doctor may schedule you for a follow-up bilirubin test. It’s very important to have this testing done. If high bilirubin levels are not treated, some babies may suffer neurological (brain) damage. That’s why it’s also important to notify your baby’s doctor if you notice your baby becoming more yellow, or if the jaundice covers more of the body than when you were in the hospital. You should also notify your baby’s doctor if your baby becomes lethargic, is eating poorly, has an unstable temperature, or has behavior changes—these can all be signs of a high bilirubin level. Prompt treatment is important to prevent permanent injury in a newborn.