Jaundice is a common condition in newborns that causes their skin and the whites of their eyes to go yellow. It happens when there is an overload of bilirubin in the bloodstream, which the liver can’t properly break down. It generally goes away as the liver develops, although your baby might need treatment to lower the bilirubin levels in some cases.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of jaundice in newborns.
What are the symptoms of jaundice in newborns?
The most common symptom is when the skin or the whites of the eyes develop a yellow tinge. It usually starts at the head and then spreads down the body from the chest to the legs. Other symptoms include:
- Drowsiness
- Pale stools
- Problems with feeding
- Dark urine
Mild symptoms usually get better on their own, but if you notice your baby sleeping more than usual and struggling to feed, book an appointment with your doctor.
What causes jaundice in newborns?
The main reason jaundice is so common in babies is because they have more red blood cells in their bodies than adults. As the red blood cells die off, it causes an overload of bilirubin in the bloodstream, and your baby’s liver may struggle to break it down.
This generally happens two to four days after a child is born and usually goes away by the time they are two weeks old.
Other causes of jaundice in newborns include:
Premature birth – The baby will have a severely underdeveloped liver, making it much harder to filter and eliminate bilirubin.
Different blood types – If a baby has a blood type different from the mother’s, it may cause the baby to be born anemic and have higher levels of bilirubin in the blood.
Breast milk – Babies may not get enough nutrients from breast milk, causing them to become dehydrated, which increases the risk of jaundice. It can happen when mothers have difficulty getting their babies to feed. Specific enzymes in the breast milk can also cause jaundice in the first couple of weeks. In both cases, the jaundice will usually pass within a couple of weeks as your baby feeds more.
How is jaundice in newborns treated?
Your baby’s treatment depends on the cause of the jaundice, bilirubin levels, and age. If there is no disease causing the jaundice, it will usually get better without any treatment. However, if your baby has severe jaundice, they may need hospital treatment to help them lower the bilirubin levels in their bloodstream.
Treatment could include:
Fluids and nutrition– Keeping your baby hydrated provides much-needed support as their liver develops. Your Child doctor may also recommend more frequent feedings or prescribe some supplements to help reduce the bilirubin levels in the blood.
Phototherapy – Light therapy makes eliminating the bilirubin from the body easier. The baby will be placed under unique lights or wrapped in a “bili blanket.”
Intravenous immunoglobin (IVIg) – If the baby and mother have different blood types, their red cells may break down much more quickly when they are born. The immunoglobulin helps reduce the antibodies passed on from the mother to the baby.
Exchange blood transfusions – In severe cases of jaundice, a baby may need a blood transfusion to help dilute the bilirubin and maternal antibodies.
What to do if you have any concerns
Jaundice is a common condition and, in most cases, goes away by itself; however, if your baby’s symptoms don’t start improving after two weeks, contact your doctor immediately to arrange a check-up. They will run extra tests to discover the cause of the jaundice and provide any additional treatment.
Contact us today if you would like to speak with one of our board-certified pediatricians.