Newborn jaundice is a common condition that affects many babies shortly after birth. It usually appears on the second or third day of life. In many cases, jaundice will heal on its own, but in some situations it can be a sign of a more serious illness that needs prompt medical attention.

Causes of Jaundice in Newborns

According to the CDC, around 60 percent of newborns develop jaundice. Among premature babies, about 8 out of 10 will experience it. Jaundice in newborns, also called neonatal jaundice, is usually noticed 2-3 days after birth. If breastfeeding goes well, the yellow colour often improves on its own over the next few days.

Jaundice develops when a baby produces more bilirubin than the liver can process. As a result, bilirubin levels in the blood rise and the baby’s skin begins to look yellow.

Newborn body naturally produces more bilirubin than an adult’s. In infants whose liver function is not yet fully mature, the process of clearing bilirubin is less efficient, causing bilirubin to build up in the body. As the liver develops, this function gradually improves and the baby’s condition usually gets better. If the yellow colour does not improve after several days, parents should be alert to the possibility of an underlying medical problem.

Besides immature liver function, newborn jaundice can also be caused by other health conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, some causes of jaundice in babies include:

• Internal bleeding

• Sepsis

• Bacterial or viral infections

• Enzyme deficiencies

• Blood cell disorders in the baby

• Blood type incompatibility between mother and baby

Symptoms of Jaundice in Newborns

In infants with newborn jaundice, the skin takes on a pale yellow tone, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In addition to the skin, the whites of the eyes may also appear yellow. These symptoms typically appear between the second and fourth day after birth.

You can check for jaundice by gently pressing on your baby’s forehead or nose. If the area you press looks yellow, your baby may have jaundice. Other noticeable signs include dark yellow urine and pale-coloured stools.

Managing Newborn Jaundice

Most newborns with jaundice do not need special treatment and the condition usually clears within about two weeks. However, if lab tests show that the baby’s bilirubin levels remain high, specific treatments may be needed, such as:

1. Ensuring adequate nutrition

Newborns need enough nutrition to prevent excessive weight loss related to jaundice. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for newborns, so frequent breastfeeding helps prevent bilirubin levels in the blood from increasing even further. Newborns generally need to nurse about 8-12 times a day. For babies fed with formula, they usually need around 30-60 ml of formula every 2-3 hours during the first week after birth.

2. Phototherapy

Phototherapy uses halogen lamps or ultraviolet lights to shine light directly on the baby’s skin so the body can absorb it. In premature infants, fibre-optic phototherapy may be used, where ultraviolet light is delivered through cables placed on the baby’s back. This treatment helps convert bilirubin into a form that the liver can break down more easily. For full-term babies with mild jaundice who are being cared for at home, this approach may be replaced by exposing the baby to morning sunlight for a short amount of time.

3. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg)

This therapy is recommended when the mother’s blood type is different from her infant's blood type. This incompatibility of blood type can carry maternal antibodies that increase the breakdown of red blood cells in the baby and in turn will increase bilirubin levels.

Although jaundice in newborns is usually not dangerous, parents still need to monitor their baby’s condition if the yellow colour does not gradually improve. Take your baby to a doctor immediately if jaundice does not get better, especially after two weeks from birth.

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