Some babies are more likely to have severe jaundice and higher bilirubin levels than others. Risk FactorsĪbout 60% of all babies have jaundice. Putting the baby in sunlight is not recommended as a safe way of treating jaundice. Jaundice is generally treated before brain damage is a concern. In some cases, if the baby has very high bilirubin levels, the doctor will do a blood exchange transfusion. The baby’s milk intake may also need to be increased. This can be done in the hospital or even at home. When being treated for high bilirubin levels, the baby will be undressed and put under special lights. No baby should develop brain damage from untreated jaundice. Repeat blood samples will also likely be taken to ensure that the TSB decreases with the prescribed treatment. If the level is high, based upon the baby’s age in hours and other risk factors, treatment will likely follow. This results in a total serum bilirubin (TSB) level. The best way to accurately measure bilirubin is with a small blood sample from the baby’s heel. If it is high, a blood test will likely be ordered. This results in a transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) level. The timing of this visit may vary depending on your baby’s age when released from the hospital and other factors.Ī doctor or nurse may check the baby’s bilirubin using a light meter that is placed on the baby’s head. This is why, if your baby is discharged before age 72 hours, your baby should be seen within 2 days of discharge. It is important for your baby to be seen by a nurse or doctor when the baby is between 3 and 5 days old, because this is usually when a baby’s bilirubin level is highest. Is arched like a bow (the head or neck and heels are bent backward and the body forward).Īt a minimum, babies should be checked for jaundice every 8 to 12 hours in the first 48 hours of life.Is crying inconsolably or with a high pitch.Does not have enough wet or dirty diapers (at least 4-6 thoroughly wet diapers in 24 hours and 3 to 4 stools per day by the fourth day).Is not breastfeeding or sucking from a bottle well.Is hard to wake up or will not sleep at all.Is very yellow or orange (skin color changes start from the head and spread to the toes).See your baby’s doctor the same day if your baby: The baby’s doctor or nurse can test how much bilirubin is in the baby’s blood. Jaundice can be harder to see in babies with darker skin color. The whites of the eyes can also look yellow. Jaundice usually appears first on the face and then moves to the chest, belly, arms, and legs as bilirubin levels get higher.
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