Facts About Jaundice

WHAT IS JAUNDICE?

• Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the newborn’s skin and eyes.
• Jaundice usually goes away without treatment.
• Jaundice can cause brain damage if severe and untreated.

WHO GETS JAUNDICE?

• Half of all newborns will have normal jaundice beginning one day or more after birth.
• Jaundice that appears within the first 24 hours of life, or after the first week, is not considered normal.
• Abnormal jaundice may be caused by the baby’s blood type (ABO or RH factor incompatibility), or one of many other causes.

WHAT CAUSES JAUNDICE?

• A baby’s liver is not able to filter out old blood cells quickly when new blood cells are made.
• The buildup of old blood cells make a yellow substance called bilirubin.
•  A baby’s bowel movements help to pass the bilirubin.
• When baby’s bowel movements and liver function are slow, the bilirubin collects and causes the yellow skin color

HOW IS JAUNDICE MEASURED?

• The yellow color is first seen in the eyes and head before it moves down the baby’s body.
• A blood test is usually done if the yellow is seen below the baby’s chest, or at the request of baby’s doctor.
• A small blood sample from a heel stick can be tested to check the amount of bilirubin.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

• Feeding every one-to-three hours with breast milk or formula (not water) is important so the bowel movements can pass the bilirubin.
• Feed at least every three hours.
• Phototherapy (light) with a special lamp or lighted blanket may be used in the hospital or home.
• Light energy breaks down bilirubin through the skin.
• Baby needs to stay in light therapy at all times except during feeding.
• Water or other liquids do not help. Only breast milk or formula helps pass bilirubin.
• Make sure baby has at least three bowel movements and four-to-five wet diapers a day.
• Blood samples will be taken during treatment to make sure the bilirubin is decreasing.
• Severe, abnormal jaundice may require baby to have a blood transfusion.

WHAT ABOUT BREASTFEEDING WITH JAUNDICE?

• Breastfeeding does not cause jaundice.
• Frequent feeding can help prevent severe jaundice.
• Any baby (breast or bottle fed) that does not take enough milk, will not have enough bowel movements to pass the bilirubin.
• A breastfed baby needs to nurse every 1 to 3 hours (at least 8 to 12 times a day).
• Extra feeding(s) with formula or pumped breast milk may be needed if the baby is not:
• taking enough milk from the breast
• having at least three bowel movements a day
• having at least four wet diapers a day
• If the baby is not taking the breast, the mother will need to use a breast pump.
• Do not use a pacifier when baby seems eager to suck. Nurse more often to make more milk.

KEY POINTS

• Jaundice is very common.
• Jaundice is temporary.
• Jaundice is treatable.
• Feeding with water (or any liquid other than breast milk or formula) does not help.