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How is it treated?
Treatment is usually not needed as jaundice
in most newborns is mild and lasts only a few days as it will
resolve itself. The baby will need frequent feedings of breast
milk or formula, as this will promote the passing of stool which
will reduce the levels of bilirubin the baby’s body. There
should be 8 -12 feedings in a 24 hour period.
 
Jaundice can be dangerous if the bilirubin
reaches a level that is too high in the newborn. In this
situation the doctor may decide to place the baby under special
blue light. This is called phototherapy. The skin absorbs the
light, this changes the bilirubin so that the body can more
easily get rid of it in the stool.
(Newborn undergoing phototherapy)
This treatment may be done at the hospital
with overhead blue light. The baby will be placed in an isolette
(warmer). The baby will wear the protective eye covering and a diaper only.
The treatment may also be done at home with a light paddle. This paddle will be placed directly on the
baby’s back, and the baby can be dressed as usual.
The doctor will determine if your baby needs treatment and which treatment is best for the baby.
In rare emergency cases a blood
transfusion is required. In this procedure the newborn’s blood
is replaced with fresh blood.
What are the Possible Complications?
Rare but serious complications from extremely high bilirubin levels are:
- Kernicterus: damage to the brain
- Cerebral Palsy: a condition which causes physical disability in human development
- Deafness: the inability to hear
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