Jaundice In Newborns

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Jaundice is a condition where there is too much bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice can occur in newborn babies. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment (coloring) released during the normal breakdown of your baby's red blood cells (RBC). Blood carrying bilirubin goes to the liver, where it is prepared before removal by the intestines (bowels). Bilirubin then leaves your baby's body through his bowel movements (BM). When the body has problems removing bilirubin, it stays in the blood and builds up in the skin. These problems usually happen because the baby's liver is not yet well developed. Jaundice may also occur when the body makes too much bilirubin. It may also result from a blood mismatch between the mother and baby, infections, and other liver problems.
  
  
• Jaundice usually starts on your baby's face and moves down his body. Blood tests will be done to learn how much bilirubin is in your baby's blood. Liver function tests and ultrasonography may be done to check for other causes of his jaundice. Treatment will depend on the amount of bilirubin in the blood and your baby's health. Jaundice in a full term, healthy baby usually goes away on its own as the baby’s liver matures. Caregivers may treat your baby with phototherapy or exchange transfusion if his bilirubin is very high. When monitoring and treatment begin as soon as jaundice is diagnosed, jaundice usually goes away without causing further medical problems.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your child's medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list and the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Give vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Ask before you change or stop giving your child his medicines.

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

Diet:

• You may need to feed your baby more often, especially if you are breast feeding. Ask your baby's caregiver if you should feed your baby at least 8 to 12 times a day for the first few days. Ask your baby's caregiver if you should feed your baby milk formula as well as breast milk, or if you need to make other changes to your baby's diet. Ask caregivers for more information about feeding your baby.
  
  
• If you have trouble breast feeding ask a caregiver for the name of a lactation consultant. This person is specially trained to help women breast feed their babies. You may also contact the following for more information:

• La Leche League International
  957 North Plum Grove Road
  Schaumburg , IL 60173
  Phone: 1- 847 - 519-7730
  Phone: 1- 800 - 525-3243
  Web Address: http://www.lalecheleague.org
  

• Human Milk Banking Association of North America
  1500 Sunday Dr., Suite 102
  Raleigh , NC 27607
  Phone: 1- 919 - 861-4530
  Web Address: http://www.hmbana.org
  

• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC Program)
  Food and Nutrition Service - USDA
  Alexandria , VA 22302
  Phone: 1- 703 - 305-2026
  Web Address: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic
  

Monitoring your baby:

• Check for dehydration: Keep a record of how often you change your baby's diaper and how wet it is each time. Your baby should wet 4 to 6 diapers a day if he is getting enough fluids. If you see that your baby is not urinating much, this may be a sign of dehydration. Dehydration is when your baby's body loses too much fluid and electrolytes (mineral salts). Dehydration can become very serious if it is not treated. Your baby should be able to pass 3 to 4 stools (bowel movements) by his fourth day of life. His bowel movement (BM) should be mushy and yellow in color, like mustard.
  
  
• Check for jaundice: Check your baby's skin often. Do this by gently pressing your baby's skin with your fingertip. Your baby's skin should be white once you remove your finger. A yellowish color in the skin means your baby has jaundice. Check for jaundice in a well-lit room, or in daylight at a window.

For more information:

Having a baby with jaundice may be difficult for you and your family. You and those close to you may feel sad or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your baby's caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1- 847 - 434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your baby's skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your baby's jaundice, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your baby has a high-pitched cry.
  
  
• Your baby has more jaundice than before.
  
  
• Your baby has trouble breathing or his lips and fingernails are turning blue in color.
  
  
• Your baby is having a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• Your baby is not able to eat or drink, or is urinating less or not at all.
  
  
• Your baby looks very tired or weak, is fussy, or sleeps more than usual.
  
  
• Your baby's urine is dark or his stools (bowel movement) are light colored.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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