Jaundice (Neonatal Jaundice) Treatment in Indore

What is neonatal jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice is a condition in which the skin and the white part of the eyes of a newborn look yellow due to high bilirubin levels in the blood.

Why It Happens

Bilirubin is the yellow pigment that results from the breakdown of red blood cells.

Newborns produce more bilirubin than adults, and their livers are still maturing; hence, they may not be removing bilirubin at a fast enough rate.

This causes bilirubin to build up → jaundice.

Neonatal jaundice is very common, especially in the first 2–4 days of life, and in most cases it is harmless and temporary.

Types of Neonatal Jaundice

1. Physiological (Normal) Jaundice

Most common

Appears on days 2–4

Caused by normal newborn development

Resolves in 1–2 weeks

2. Breastfeeding Jaundice

Occurs if the baby is not feeding well → mild dehydration → increased bilirubin

Happens in the first week

3. Breast Milk Jaundice

Caused by substances in breast milk that slow bilirubin breakdown

Appears after 1st week and may last several weeks

Baby is otherwise healthy

4. Pathological Jaundice: less common, requires treatment

May present within the first 24 hours or increase rapidly.

Causes include:

Rh or ABO blood group incompatibility

Liver disease

Infections

Enzyme disorders such as G6PD deficiency

Prematurity

Symptoms of Neonatal Jaundice

Visible Symptoms

Yellow skin (beginning on the face and progressing downward)

Yellowing of the eyes (sclera)

Dark yellow urine (should be very pale in newborns)

Pale or Chalky Stool (abnormal; serious)

Poor feeding or lethargy, in more serious cases

Severe Symptoms (Rare but Serious)

High bilirubin causes a form of brain damage known as kernicterus.

Warning signs include:

Sleepiness, extreme

Poor suck/feeding

High-pitched cry

Arching of the body

Seizures

These require immediate medical attention if they happen.

Prevention of Neonatal Jaundice

Although not all jaundice can be prevented, early feeding and monitoring greatly reduce the risk of severe jaundice.

1. Ensure Frequent and Effective Feeding

This is the most important prevention step.

Breastfed babies: 8–12 feeds a day in the first week

Formula-fed infants: feed every 2–3 hours

Adequate feeding → good stooling → bilirubin leaves the body.

2. Early Newborn Checkups

New babies should be screened for jaundice within 24–48 hours after birth.

Another checkup in the first 3–5 days of life, especially for newborns who have been discharged early

3. Monitoring for Early Signs at Home

Check the baby's skin in natural light

Look for yellowing moving from face → chest → legs

Follow the feeding pattern, diaper wetting, and stool colour

4. For High-Risk Babies

Babies at risk may receive extra monitoring:

Premature babies

Incompatibility of blood type in babies

Family history of neonatal jaundice

Early bilirubin testing helps prevent complications.

Treatment (If Needed)

1. Phototherapy (Light Therapy)

Most common treatment

Special blue light breaks down bilirubin

Safe and effective

2. Increased Feeding

Helps eliminate bilirubin through the faeces.

3. Exchange Transfusion

Rare for severe cases

Replaces the baby's blood with donor blood

Used when bilirubin is extremely high

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek immediate medical care if:

Baby is very yellow (especially below the abdomen or in the eyes)

The baby is very sleepy or difficult to wake

Baby is feeding poorly

Baby has dark yellow urine or pale stools

Jaundice becomes apparent within the first 24 hours after birth. Summary: Neonatal jaundice is very common and usually harmless. Caused by high bilirubin due to immature liver function. Symptoms include yellow skin/eyes, dark urine, and poor feeding. Prevention includes early, frequent feeding and monitoring. When required, treatment is generally simple and quite effective: phototherapy.