- According to WebMD, jaundice in newborns occurs when an abnormally high level of bilirubin is present in the blood. Bilirubin is a naturally occurring substance in the body that is a result of hemoglobin dissipating.
- Jaundice in a newborn is extremely common and usually resolves itself without medical treatment. However, if bilirubin levels remain abnormally high for more than a few days, the newborn needs to be evaluated to determine the cause of the jaundice.
- It is fairly easy to identify a newborn with jaundice, as the baby's skin has a definite yellowish tint to it. Additionally, high bilirubin levels can be identified with a blood test.
- While most jaundice is very mild and not harmful to babies, jaundice that lasts for more than a few days and is left untreated can cause brain damage because of the high bilirubin levels. Mild jaundice is not uncomfortable to a newborn baby.
- For mild cases of newborn jaundice, filtered sunlight is one of the best treatment methods. In situations when a newborn's jaundice is not subsiding, blood transfusions are sometimes needed.
