Neonatal jaundice is a common condition in newborns, occurring when there is a buildup of bilirubin in the blood, causing a yellowing of the skin and eyes. While most cases of jaundice are mild and resolve on their own, severe jaundice can lead to kernicterus, a dangerous condition that causes permanent brain damage.
📌 Fact: About 60% of full-term newborns and 80% of preterm infants develop jaundice in the first week of life.
🩺 What Causes Neonatal Jaundice?
Jaundice occurs when bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced from the breakdown of red blood cells, builds up faster than the newborn’s liver can process and eliminate it.
🔹 Common Causes of Mild Jaundice (Physiologic Jaundice)
✅ Immature liver – The baby’s liver is still developing and takes a few days to effectively process bilirubin.
✅ High red blood cell turnover – Newborns have more red blood cells than adults, leading to increased bilirubin production.
✅ Breastfeeding jaundice – In some cases, mild dehydration from low milk intake in the first few days of life can contribute to jaundice.
🔹 Causes of Severe Jaundice (Pathologic Jaundice) That Require Urgent Treatment
❌ Blood type incompatibility (ABO or Rh incompatibility) – The baby’s immune system attacks red blood cells, leading to rapid bilirubin release.
❌ G6PD deficiency – A genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to break down more quickly.
❌ Liver disease or infections – Conditions like hepatitis or sepsis can prevent the liver from properly removing bilirubin.
📌 Fact: Jaundice appearing within the first 24 hours of life is always considered abnormal and requires immediate medical evaluation.
⚠️ What Happens If Jaundice Becomes Severe? (Kernicterus Risk)
If bilirubin levels become too high and are left untreated, bilirubin can cross the blood-brain barrier and damage brain cells, leading to kernicterus—a form of permanent brain damage.
🚨 Symptoms of Severe Jaundice or Kernicterus
❌ Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking up
❌ Poor feeding or weak sucking reflex
❌ High-pitched crying and irritability
❌ Arching of the back (opisthotonos) or stiffness
❌ Seizures
📌 Fact: Kernicterus is rare in countries with good newborn screening programs, but when it occurs, it can cause lifelong neurological disabilities, including hearing loss, cerebral palsy, and cognitive impairments.
🩺 How Is Jaundice Treated?
Most newborns with mild jaundice require only monitoring and frequent feeding to help flush bilirubin from their system. However, if bilirubin levels rise too high, treatment may include:
✔ Phototherapy (Light Therapy) – Blue light breaks down bilirubin in the skin, allowing it to be excreted.
✔ Exchange Transfusion (Severe Cases) – Replaces the baby’s blood with fresh donor blood to rapidly lower bilirubin levels.
✔ IV Fluids & Feeding Support – Helps flush out excess bilirubin.
📌 Fact: Phototherapy is the most common and highly effective treatment, used in about 10% of newborns with jaundice.
📌 Final Thoughts
Mild neonatal jaundice is common and usually harmless, but severe cases require urgent treatment to prevent brain damage (kernicterus). Early detection and phototherapy are highly effective in preventing complications.
