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Jaundice can develop when red blood cells break down and
bilirubin is left. It is normal for some red blood cells
to die every day. In the womb, the mother's liver removes
bilirubin for the baby, but after birth the baby's liver
must remove the bilirubin. In some babies, the liver might
not be developed enough to efficiently get rid of bilirubin.
When too much bilirubin builds up in a new baby's body, the
skin and whites of the eyes might look yellow. This yellow
coloring is called jaundice.
What are some of the signs of jaundice?
Jaundice usually appears first on the face and then moves to the chest, belly,
arms, and legs as bilirubin levels get higher. The whites of the eyes can also
look yellow. Jaundice can be harder to see in babies with darker skin color.
Your baby's doctor or nurse can test how much bilirubin is in your baby's blood.
Are some babies more likely to be jaundiced?
About 60% of all babies have jaundice. Some babies are more likely to have severe
jaundice and higher bilirubin levels than others. Babies with any of the following
risk factors need close monitoring and early jaundice management:
Sibling
If the baby has a brother or sister that had jaundice,
the newborn will probably have jaundice.
Bruising
A baby who has bruises at birth is likely to have jaundice.
A bruise forms because blood leaked out of a blood vessel
and caused the skin to look black and blue. Then, when
the bruise begins to heal, red blood cells die. Bilirubin
is made when red blood cells break down. The healing of
large bruises may cause high levels of bilirubin and the
baby may become jaundiced.
Preterm babies
Babies born before 37 weeks, or 8 ½ months, of pregnancy
may become jaundiced because their liver may not be fully
developed. The young liver may not be able to get rid of
so much bilirubin. If too many red blood cells break down
at the same time, the baby can become very yellow or may
even look orange.
Feeding Difficulties
A baby who is not eating, wetting, or stooling well in
the first few days of life is more likely to get jaundice.
Early jaundice
A baby who is yellow in the first 24 hours of life may
get dangerously jaundiced.
Heredity
A baby born to an East Asian or Mediterranean family is
at a higher risk of becoming very jaundiced. Also, jaundice
is harder to see in babies with darker skin tones. Some
families inherit conditions (such as G6PD), and their babies
are more likely to become jaundiced.
Blood type
Women with an O blood type or Rh negative blood factor
might have babies with higher bilirubin levels. A mother
with Rh incompatibility should be given Rhogam.
Does jaundice always cause a problem?
Many babies have some jaundice. Jaundice can develop when red blood cells break
down and bilirubin is left. It is normal for some red blood cells to die every
day. In the womb, the mother's liver removes bilirubin for the baby, but after
birth the baby's liver must remove the bilirubin. In some babies, the liver
might not be developed enough to efficiently get rid of bilirubin. When too
much bilirubin builds up in a new baby's body, the skin and whites of the eyes
might look yellow. This yellow coloring is called jaundice. The yellow color
does not hurt the baby's skin, but the bilirubin goes to the brain as well
as to the skin. When severe jaundice goes untreated for too long, it can cause
brain damage and a condition called kernicterus.
What is kernicterus?
Kernicterus is a type of brain damage that causes athetoid cerebral palsy and
hearing loss. It also causes problems with vision and teeth and sometimes can
cause mental retardation.
Who can develop kernicterus?
Any baby with untreated jaundice is at risk for kernicterus. This does not mean
that every baby with yellow skin will have brain damage. Most babies with jaundice
get better by themselves. If their skin is very yellow, they might need phototherapy
treatment. If phototherapy does not lower the baby's bilirubin levels, the
baby may need an exchange transfusion.
What are some
warning signs of kernicterus?
Ask your pediatrician to see your baby the
day you call, if your baby
Can jaundice be treated and prevent kernicterus
from developing?
No baby should develop brain damage from untreated jaundice.
If a baby gets too jaundiced, the baby can be treated with
phototherapy. That is, the baby can be put under blue lights
most of the day. The blue lights do not bother the baby.
They are warm and probably feel good. If the baby gets very,
very jaundiced, the doctor can do an exchange transfusion.
What should I do if I think my baby has jaundice?
Call and visit your baby's doctor right away.
To read the rest of this article from The National
Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD),
please click here: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/kernicterus/faqs.htm
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