Infant jaundice is a common condition characterized by yellow discoloration of a newborn baby’s skin and eyes. This occurs when the baby’s blood contains an excess of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells.

Infant jaundice typically affects babies born before 38 weeks of gestation and some breastfed babies. In most cases, it happens because the baby’s liver is not mature enough to remove bilirubin from the bloodstream. However, in some instances, an underlying disease may be the cause.

Symptoms of infant jaundice usually appear between the second and fourth day after birth. The main sign is yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. To check for jaundice, gently press on the baby’s forehead or nose. If the skin looks yellow where you pressed, it’s likely your baby has mild jaundice.

It’s essential to examine your baby in good lighting conditions, preferably in natural daylight. Most hospitals have a policy of examining babies for jaundice before discharge. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that newborns be examined for jaundice during routine medical checks and at least every eight to 12 hours while in the hospital.

Your baby should be examined for jaundice between the third and seventh day after birth, when bilirubin levels usually peak. If your baby is discharged earlier than 72 hours after birth, make a follow-up appointment to look for jaundice within two days of discharge.

If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, call your doctor:

– Your baby’s skin becomes more yellow
– The skin on your baby’s abdomen, arms, or legs looks yellow
– The whites of your baby’s eyes look yellow
– Your baby seems listless or sick
– Your baby is difficult to awaken
– Your baby isn’t gaining weight or is feeding poorly
– Your baby makes high-pitched cries
– Your baby develops any other signs or symptoms that concern you

Excess bilirubin is the primary cause of jaundice. Bilirubin is a normal part of the pigment released from the breakdown of “used” red blood cells. Newborns produce more bilirubin than adults because of greater production and faster breakdown of red blood cells in the first few days of life. Normally, the liver filters bilirubin from the bloodstream and releases it into the intestinal tract. However, a newborn’s immature liver often can’t remove bilirubin quickly enough, causing an excess of bilirubin.

In some cases, an underlying disorder may cause infant jaundice. Diseases or conditions that can cause jaundice include:

– Internal bleeding (hemorrhage)
– An infection in your baby’s blood (sepsis)
– Other viral or bacterial infections
– An incompatibility between the mother’s blood and the baby’s blood
– A liver malfunction
– Biliary atresia, a condition in which the baby’s bile ducts are blocked or scarred
– An enzyme deficiency
– An abnormality of your baby’s red blood cells that causes them to break down rapidly

Major risk factors for jaundice, particularly severe jaundice that can cause complications, include:

– Premature birth
– Significant bruising during birth
– Blood type differences between the mother and baby
– Breast-feeding difficulties
– Dehydration or low caloric intake
– East Asian ancestry

If left untreated, severe jaundice can lead to serious complications, including brain damage or kernicterus. Prompt treatment can prevent significant lasting damage. Signs of acute bilirubin encephalopathy include:

– Listlessness
– Difficulty waking
– High-pitched crying
– Poor sucking or feeding
– Backward arching of the neck and body
– Fever

Kernicterus is the syndrome that occurs if acute bilirubin encephalopathy causes permanent damage to the brain. Kernicterus may result in:

1. – Involuntary and uncontrolled movements (athetoid cerebral palsy)
   – Permanent upward gaze
   – Hearing loss
   – Improper development of tooth enamel

The best way to prevent infant jaundice is through adequate feeding. Breast-fed infants should have eight to 12 feedings a day for the first several days of life. Formula-fed infants usually should have 1 to 2 ounces (about 30 to 60 milliliters) of formula every two to three hours for the first week.