What is jaundice?

Jaundice in newborns is a condition where a baby’s skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow. This occurs when the level of bilirubin in the blood is too high. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. The liver usually clears bilirubin from the blood.

In neonates, however, their liver is still immature and may not have developed enough to remove bilirubin fast enough, resulting in a yellow discoloration of the skin known as jaundice.

Jaundice in the newborn is usually harmless and tends to clear away on its own. In connection with this, parents must be vigilant about the state of their baby and get the baby to a doctor if they find symptoms or if the jaundice continues for more than two weeks.

What Causes Jaundice in Newborns?

There are many reasons why jaundice is caused in newborns.

• One of the major reasons is that of the natural destruction of red blood cells. Newborns have a lot of red blood cells, and they do not survive as long as adult red blood cells do.
• Newly occurring jaundice may be caused by breastfeeding. Some breastfed newborns may develop jaundice since they are not taking in enough breast milk, which may result in dehydration and fewer bowel movements.
• Sometimes, jaundice could result from blood type discrepancies between the mother and the baby. When the baby’s blood type is different from the mother’s, the mother’s body could produce antibodies that will attack the red blood cells of the baby quickly, leading to rapid breaking down of the said cells and thus an increase in the bilirubin.
• Less common possible causes of jaundice include infections, internal bleeding, or liver problems in the baby, which usually need medical attention.

Dr. Kailash Mishra
Director & Gastroenterologist Consultant
Prime Gastro Liver Clinic