Neonatal Jaundice: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Newborn jaundice is a yellowing of the baby's skin color and the whites of the eyes, occurring due to a high level of a yellow substance called bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a natural product of red-blood-cell breakdown that the liver usually clears, but a newborn's liver is immature and delayed in processing it, so it accumulates and the yellowing appears.

Jaundice is among the most common conditions in newborns, affecting most premature babies and many full-term ones. In most cases it is a normal physiological jaundice that appears after the second or third day of life, peaks then declines, and disappears within one to two weeks without causing any harm. Breastfeeding may also be linked to a common, benign type of jaundice.

However, it is important for parents to know that some jaundice cases may be more than normal and warrant attention: such as appearing very early in the first 24 hours, being severe and rapidly rising, or lasting long. The danger of a very severe rise in untreated bilirubin is the possibility of brain involvement (kernicterus), which is rare but serious. Monitoring the newborn and measuring the bilirubin level when needed are therefore important, and treatment is usually simple and effective through phototherapy that breaks down bilirubin, while reassuring parents that most cases are completely fine.

• Skin yellowing that starts from the face then descends to the chest and abdomen.
• Yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
• In severe cases: lethargy, poor feeding, and high-pitched crying.
• Yellowing of the palms and soles is a sign of a high level.

• The newborn's immature liver, delayed in processing bilirubin.
• Normal breakdown of the newborn's red blood cells.
• Blood-group difference between mother and baby or enzyme deficiencies in certain cases.
• Breastfeeding in a common, benign type.

• Premature birth.
• Blood-group difference between mother and baby.
• Bruising during birth and feeding difficulty.
• A family history of severe jaundice.

• Clinical examination of the degree and extent of yellowing.
• Measuring bilirubin through the skin or by a blood test.
• Additional tests for the cause when the rise is severe or early.

Mild cases

• Monitoring and frequent feeding help clear bilirubin, and it usually resolves on its own.

A notable rise

• Phototherapy (exposing the baby to special light) breaks down bilirubin and is safe and effective.

Very severe cases

• Exchange transfusion in rare cases to prevent brain involvement.

This content is educational and does not replace consulting a pediatrician.

• Kernicterus (brain involvement) in very severe untreated cases — rare but serious.
• Dehydration and poor feeding.

• Adequate frequent feeding in the first days.
• Following up the newborn after hospital discharge, especially in the first week.
• Early attention to signs of severe yellowing.