Neonatal jaundice | |
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Other names | Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal icterus, jaundice in newborns |
Jaundice in a newborn | |
Specialty | Pediatrics |
Symptoms | Yellowish discoloration of the skin and white part of the eyes[1] |
Complications | Seizures, cerebral palsy, kernicterus[1] |
Usual onset | Newborns[1] |
Types | Physiologic, pathologic[1] |
Causes | Red blood cell breakdown, liver disease, infection, hypothyroidism, metabolic disorders[2][1] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, confirmed by bilirubin[1] |
Treatment | More frequent feeding, phototherapy, exchange transfusions[1] |
Frequency | >50% of babies[1] |
Neonatal jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the white part of the eyes and skin in a newborn baby due to high bilirubin levels.[1] Other symptoms may include excess sleepiness or poor feeding.[1] Complications may include seizures, cerebral palsy, or kernicterus.[1]
In most of cases there is no specific underlying physiologic disorder.[2] In other cases it results from red blood cell breakdown, liver disease, infection, hypothyroidism, or metabolic disorders (pathologic).[2][1] A bilirubin level more than 34 μmol/L (2 mg/dL) may be visible.[1] Concerns, in otherwise healthy babies, occur when levels are greater than 308 μmol/L (18 mg/dL), jaundice is noticed in the first day of life, there is a rapid rise in levels, jaundice lasts more than two weeks, or the baby appears unwell.[1] In those with concerning findings further investigations to determine the underlying cause are recommended.[1]
The need for treatment depends on bilirubin levels, the age of the child, and the underlying cause.[1][3] Treatments may include more frequent feeding, phototherapy, or exchange transfusions.[1] In those who are born early more aggressive treatment tends to be required.[1] Physiologic jaundice generally lasts less than seven days.[1] The condition affects over half of babies in the first week of life.[1] Of babies that are born early about 80% are affected.[2] Globally over 100,000 late-preterm and term babies die each year as a result of jaundice.[4]