Your baby: Newborn jaundice

Jaundice means that the skin, the whites of the eyes, the mucus membranes in the mouth, and some tissues in the body are yellowish. This is caused by a substance called bilirubin, which is a yellow pigment.

Newborns normally have very high red blood cell counts. As their bodies work to eliminate the extra red blood cells, bilirubin is produced. When bilirubin is deposited in the skin, it causes the yellowish color of jaundice.

As your baby's body begins to get rid of the bilirubin, the jaundice will go away in several days.

Treatment for jaundice

If your baby has jaundice in the hospital, your health care provider and nurses will give you instructions about treatment.

The treatment for jaundice is simple: feed your baby more often so your baby can get rid of the bilirubin in stools and urine.

Occasionally, some babies need to spend time under special lights that look like fluorescent bulbs or lie on a special fiberoptic blanket. These lights help eliminate bilirubin waste products from the breakdown of red blood cells.

When to call your health care provider

Once you are home, call your health care provider right away if:

• you see a yellowish color to your baby's eyes and skin
• the jaundice spreads from your infant's head to the hands, legs or feet
• your infant is dehydrated: urinates less often, has dry lips and mouth and/or has sunken eyes
• your infant has a fever
• the jaundice lasts for more than 14 days
• your infant is more sleepy than normal

Related Links

Jaundice in newborns (Hyperbilirubinemia)

Bilirubin test

Pediatric specialists

Family medicine specialists

First published: 04/01/2002
Last updated: 11/30/2006

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts