Introduction

Jaundice is a common condition in newborn babies. It causes the skin and the white parts of the eyes to look yellow. 

Jaundice happens when there is a build-up of a yellow substance called bilirubin in the body. Bilirubin is made when red blood cells break down. It is normally removed by the liver.

Newborn babies have more red blood cells than adults, and their livers are not developed enough to remove bilirubin quickly. This causes it to build up in the skin.

Babies are more likely to develop jaundice if they:

• were born prematurely, before 36 weeks
• have an infection, like a urinary tract infection
• have rhesus disease – a condition where antibodies in a pregnant woman's blood attack the baby's red blood cells
• have liver disease, like biliary atresia.

Breastfed babies can develop jaundice in the first few weeks while the milk supply is still increasing. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you are worried or need support with breastfeeding.

The main sign of jaundice is a yellow colour to the skin and white parts of the eyes. It can be harder to see in babies with darker skin tones.

To check for jaundice, gently press your baby’s forehead and look for a yellow colour when you lift your finger.

Jaundice usually fades by the end of the first week of life. It can be more serious if it: 

• starts in the first 24 hours after birth
• lasts longer than two weeks. 

If jaundice lasts more than two weeks, it could be a sign of another problem, like an infection.

If you are concerned and:

• still in hospital, speak to your doctor or midwife.
• at home, see your local doctor or child and family health nurse.

Babies with liver disease may also have very pale or clay-coloured poo. This is different from normal yellow, green or brown poo. See your doctor straight away if your baby has pale poo.

Your baby’s doctor will check their skin and eyes for signs of jaundice after they are born.

They may use a tool called a transcutaneous bilirubinometer - a scanner shines a light onto your baby's skin to measure bilirubin levels. 

Your baby may also need:

• a urine test to check for infection
• a blood test to check:
  • how well their thyroid is working
  • how well their liver is working
  • bilirubin levels.

If these tests show signs of liver disease, your baby will be referred to a paediatric gastroenterologist. 

Treatment depends on how high your baby’s bilirubin levels are.

• Mild jaundice in the first week is usually treated by giving your baby extra fluids.
   

• Moderate jaundice is treated with phototherapy. This is when a special blue light is used to break down the bilirubin. Your baby will be placed under a light or on a light blanket, wearing only a nappy and an eye mask.

  Phototherapy can make your baby’s poos more runny, so they will be given extra fluids.

  Phototherapy is not the same as sunlight. Do not use sunlight to treat jaundice. Sun exposure is not safe for newborns.
   

• Severe jaundice may be treated with a blood transfusion. This is a procedure where donated blood is given to your baby to wash the bilirubin out of their system.

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