jaundice of the newborn

Jaundice in newborns is a common condition where the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow due to an excess of bilirubin, a bile pigment, in the blood. This often occurs because a newborn's liver is not yet fully mature and cannot process bilirubin efficiently.1

There are different types of jaundice, but in newborns, it's typically related to the breakdown of red blood cells and the liver's ability to excrete bilirubin. While usually harmless and subsiding within weeks as the liver matures, high bilirubin levels can be dangerous. In severe cases, bilirubin can deposit in brain cells, causing damage known as kernicterus, which can lead to deafness and cerebral palsy.2

Treatment for neonatal jaundice can include phototherapy, where the infant is exposed to intense visible light to help the body eliminate bilirubin. In severe cases, exchange transfusions may be necessary to prevent brain damage.32