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Newborn jaundice - what to ask your doctor

Definition

Newborn jaundice is a common condition. It is caused by high levels of bilirubin (a yellow coloring) in your child's blood. This can make your child's skin and sclera (the whites of their eyes) look yellow. Your child may go home with some jaundice or may develop jaundice after going home.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your health care provider about your child's jaundice.

Patient Education Video: Newborn jaundice

Alternative Names

Jaundice - what to ask your doctor; What to ask your doctor about newborn jaundice

Questions

  • What causes jaundice in a newborn child?
  • How common is newborn jaundice?
  • Will the jaundice harm my child?
  • What are the treatments for jaundice?
  • How long does it take for the jaundice to go away?
  • How can I tell if the jaundice is getting worse?
  • How often should I feed my child?
  • What should I do if I am having trouble breastfeeding?
  • Does my child need blood transfusions for the jaundice?
  • Does my child need light therapy for the jaundice? Can this be done at home?
  • How do I arrange to have light therapy at home? Who do I call if I am having problems with the light therapy?
  • Do I need to use light therapy all day and night? How about when I am holding or feeding my child?
  • Can the light therapy harm my child?
  • When do we need to have a follow-up visit with my child's provider?

Gallery

Erythroblastosis fetalis - photomicrograph
Antibodies from an Rh negative mother may enter the blood stream of her unborn Rh positive infant, damaging the red blood cells (RBCs). The infant responds by increasing RBC production and sending out immature RBCs that still have nuclei. This photograph shows normal RBCs, damaged RBCs, and immature RBCs that still contain nuclei.

References

Kaplan M, Wong RJ, Burgis JC, Sibley E, Stevenson DK. Neonatal jaundice and liver diseases. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 91.

Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM. Digestive system disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 123.

Rozance PJ, Wright CJ. The neonate. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 23.

Last reviewed January 24, 2023 by Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..