Infant Jaundice – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Newborn Yellowing
Newborn yellowing (jaundice) happens when a baby’s skin and eyes turn yellow due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Most babies born after 35 weeks don’t need treatment as this condition often resolves on its own.
However, doctors may recommend several treatments when levels become concerning:
- Phototherapy (Light Therapy) – Special blue lights help break down bilirubin.
- Feeding Support – More frequent breastfeeding or supplementation helps babies excrete bilirubin.
- Blood Tests – Regular monitoring tracks bilirubin levels.
- Exchange Transfusion – In severe cases, this procedure replaces the baby’s blood.
More serious cases might require hospital treatment with specialized equipment.
Symptoms
Infant jaundice is most often identified by yellowing of the skin and eye whites. This coloration typically shows up between days 2 and 4 after birth.
You can check for jaundice with a simple test. Gently press on your baby’s forehead or nose.
If the area appears yellow after pressure is released, your baby likely has mild jaundice. Without jaundice, the pressed area will just look slightly lighter than normal for a moment.
Important tip: Always examine your baby in good lighting, preferably natural daylight, to accurately assess skin color changes.
When to See a Doctor
Most hospitals check babies for jaundice before they go home. Doctors recommend checking newborns for jaundice during regular medical exams and every 8-12 hours while still in the hospital.
Your baby should be checked for jaundice between days 3 and 7 after birth, when the yellow color typically reaches its peak.
If your baby leaves the hospital before 72 hours of age, schedule a follow-up appointment within two days to check for jaundice.
Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs:
- Increasing the yellow color on your baby’s skin
- Yellow color spreading to the abdomen, arms, or legs
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
- Unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking your baby
- Poor weight gain or feeding problems
- High-pitched crying
- Any other concerning symptoms
These signs may indicate severe jaundice or complications that need prompt medical attention. Early treatment can prevent serious problems and help your baby recover more quickly.
What Causes Jaundice
Jaundice appears when too much bilirubin builds up in the blood. While normal newborn development often leads to jaundice, several other conditions can trigger this symptom.
Medical problems that may cause jaundice include:
- Internal Bleeding: When blood collects inside the body, more red blood cells break down.
- Blood Infections (Sepsis): Bacterial infections in the bloodstream can affect liver function.
- Other Infections: Various viral or bacterial illnesses can impact bilirubin processing.
- Blood Type Incompatibility: When a mother’s blood type conflicts with her baby’s, it can cause red blood cells to break down faster.
- Liver Problems: Any condition that affects normal liver function can lead to jaundice.
Some less common causes include:
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Biliary atresia | Blocked or scarred bile ducts that prevent normal bile flow |
| Enzyme deficiencies | Missing enzymes needed to process bilirubin properly |
| Red blood cell abnormalities | Conditions that cause red blood cells to break down too quickly |
These problems often make jaundice appear earlier or later than typical newborn jaundice.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase a baby’s chance of developing jaundice or make it more severe:
Premature Birth
Babies born before 38 weeks may have trouble processing bilirubin effectively. These newborns often eat less and have fewer bowel movements, which limits how much bilirubin leaves their bodies.
Birth Bruising
When newborns experience significant bruising during delivery, they may develop higher bilirubin levels as these bruised blood cells break down.
Blood Type Differences
If a mother and baby have different blood types, the baby might receive antibodies through the placenta that cause red blood cells to break down too quickly.
Feeding Challenges
Breast-fed babies who struggle to nurse or get enough milk face a higher jaundice risk. Dehydration and low calorie intake can contribute to jaundice development.
Despite this risk, breast-feeding remains recommended for its many benefits.
Ethnic Background
Research indicates that babies with East Asian ancestry have higher rates of jaundice than other groups.
Health Risks
Brain Toxicity from High Bilirubin
When bilirubin levels rise too high in a baby’s body, it can affect the brain. This is serious and needs quick treatment. Without care, high bilirubin can harm brain cells.
Signs that bilirubin is affecting a baby’s brain include:
- Not being alert
- Hard time waking up
- Crying with a high pitch
- Not feeding well
- Arching the back and neck
- Having a fever
Permanent Brain Damage
If bilirubin affects the brain for too long, it can cause lasting harm. This permanent damage can lead to:
- Movement problems that can’t be controlled
- Eyes that stay looking upward
- Loss of hearing
- Problems with tooth enamel growth
Prevention
Good feeding habits help prevent infant jaundice. For breastfed babies, aim for 8-12 feedings daily during the first few days after birth. Babies drinking formula should have about 1-2 ounces (30-60 milliliters) every 2-3 hours in the first week.
Regular feeding helps babies process bilirubin more effectively and reduces jaundice risk.
