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Definition of Jaundice In NewbornsThe cause of jaundice is a yellow bile pigment called bilirubin, which is carried in the blood and deposited in the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera (whites of the eyes). The result is that these areas of the body turn yellow. Anything that causes a significant increase in the amount of bilirubin in the blood will lead to jaundice. Description of Jaundice In NewbornsMore than 25 percent of all healthy, full-term newborns become slightly jaundiced, usually on the third or fourth day of life. In premature babies the incidence of jaundice is higher. The exact level of bilirubin in the blood is determined by a simple blood test. No one can predict with certainty whether a newborn will develop jaundice, but Asian and Native American babies tend to have higher bilirubin levels than white babies, who have higher levels than black infants. Breastfed babies are more likely to develop jaundice than those who are fed formula, although researchers are not certain why. Some older studies have suggested that breastmilk contains a hormone that inhibits the liver's ability to process bilirubin, but more recent research has shown no link between hormones in breast milk and liver function. Still, in many instances, if breastfeeding is discontinued for 24 hours and formula is substituted, bilirubin levels decline and "breastfeeding jaundice" clears up more rapidly. The frequency of bowel movements also has been associated with jaundice. An infant's stool contains bilirubin, and if he passes stool too infrequently, some of the pigment is reabsorbed into the bloodstream and must be reprocessed by the liver, prolonging the symptoms of jaundice. Causes and Risk Factors of Jaundice In NewbornsThe two most common causes of jaundice in the newborn are an immaturity of the baby's liver, which is known as physiologic jaundice, and blood-group incompatibilities. There are many other, less common causes of jaundice in the newborn. Diagnosis of Jaundice In NewbornsDoctors diagnose jaundice through a simple blood test. A bilirubin level of less than 12 milligrams per deciliter of blood in the first few weeks of life is generally considered normal for a healthy, full-term baby. A doctor's decision whether or not to treat jaundice depends on a number of factors, including how high the bilirubin level is, how fast it is climbing, the baby's age, and the general health of the baby. A few experts believe that in healthy, full-term infants, bilirubin levels ranging from 17 to 22 milligrams per deciliter of blood are fairly harmless and do not warrant therapy. Treatment of Jaundice In NewbornsA major concern with jaundice is the risk of very high concentrations of bilirubin reaching the brain and causing damage. But studies show that most babies who suffer such brain damage have underlying illnesses or conditions, such as complete inability of the liver to process bilirubin. Doctors usually use phototherapy, or light treatment, to bring down bilirubin levels. The infant is placed under special fluorescent lamps that convert the excess bilirubin into a water-soluble form that can be excreted in bile and urine. The infant receives treatment usually in an incubator, for approximately two to three days. During that period, parents can take the baby out of the incubator for feeding, or they can reach in and touch their child. In some instances, hospitals are able to arrange for parents to rent home phototherapy equipment - long fluorescent lights that hang over the crib. Some hospitals are offering a fiber-optic "blanket" - a sheet of plastic that has fiber-optic tubing running through it so that the entire blanket becomes a light source. Many parents prefer the blanket because they are able to hold and cuddle their baby during treatment. When home therapy is not an option, a two- or three-day hospital stay is typical for full-term babies being treated for physiologic jaundice. Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Jaundice In NewbornsWhy does the baby have jaundice?
What is the bilirubin level?
What is the probable cause?
Should breastfeeding be avoided or discontinued?
Should the baby have light treatment?
Can we do this at home?
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