Short answer
Yellow skin and eyes are common in newborns. Jaundice is usually most noticeable around day 3 and fades within about 2 weeks. See a doctor the same day if your baby looks yellow. Go to hospital immediately if jaundice appears in the first 24 hours, or if the baby is very sleepy, not feeding, floppy, has a fever or no wet nappies. Treatment, when needed, is usually phototherapy.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Why newborns get jaundice
Jaundice is caused by a build-up of bilirubin, a yellow substance the liver normally clears. A newborn’s liver takes a few weeks to work fully, so mild jaundice is common and usually harmless.
Less often it has another cause, such as a difference between the mother’s and baby’s blood groups, an infection or a liver problem. That is why a doctor should check every yellow baby.
How to check your baby
- Look at the whites of the eyes, the gums and under the tongue.
- Look at the skin in good daylight. Yellowness usually starts on the face and head and spreads down the body.
- Press gently on the tip of the nose or the forehead for a moment; yellow is easier to see as the skin pales.
- Jaundice can be harder to see on brown skin, so check the eyes and gums too.
Go to hospital immediately if your baby has jaundice and
- Is less than 24 hours old
- Is sleepier than usual or hard to wake
- Is not feeding
- Is floppy or stiff, or has jerking or twitching movements
- Has a temperature of 38°C or more, or 36°C or less
- Has had no wet nappies
- Is breathing fast, grunting, or the tummy sucks in under the ribs
Call +91 90368 52311. Ask someone else to drive while you look after the baby.
See a doctor the same day if
- Your baby is over 24 hours old and looks yellow
- Jaundice that was diagnosed is not getting better, or is getting worse
- The urine is dark yellow, or the stools are pale and chalky. Keep a nappy to show the doctor.
Tests and treatment
The bilirubin level is measured with a skin meter or a blood test. Most babies need no treatment apart from frequent feeding, around 8 to 12 times a day, which helps the body clear bilirubin. Wake a sleepy baby for feeds.
If the level is high, the baby is treated with phototherapy: a special light shone on the skin, usually for around 48 hours. Rarely, a blood exchange transfusion or medicine through a vein is needed.
Do not rely on putting your baby in the sun. It is not a reliable treatment, and a newborn can overheat or burn. Get the bilirubin checked instead.
At Dhruva Hospitals
Phototherapy for newborn jaundice is given in our Level III NICU, led by paediatrician and neonatologist Dr. Sudarshan Reddy K. The neonatal emergency team is available 24 hours a day.
Common questions
Should I keep breastfeeding if my baby has jaundice?
Yes. Feed often, 8 to 12 times a day. Do not give water, glucose water or other liquids unless your doctor advises it.
How long does phototherapy take?
Most babies need around 48 hours. The bilirubin level is rechecked during treatment to decide when to stop.
Read next
Sources
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.