Jaundice In Newborns: How Long Does The Yellow Last?

Jaundice is a common condition in newborn babies, causing a yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. While jaundice usually resolves on its own within one to two weeks, in some cases, it can last longer. So, how long does the jaundice colour last in newborns, and when should parents be concerned?

Jaundice is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood

Jaundice is a common condition in newborns, characterised by a yellowing of the skin. It is caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when red blood cells break down. While a pregnant person's liver removes bilirubin for the baby, after birth, the baby's liver must start removing bilirubin by itself.

Newborn jaundice occurs when a baby's liver is not yet developed enough to remove bilirubin. Newborns have more red blood cells than older children and adults, and these red blood cells have a shorter lifespan. This combination of factors is what makes jaundice so common in newborns.

Jaundice usually peaks in the first two to five days of life and lasts about one to two weeks. In some cases, it can last longer, particularly in babies who are breastfed. While jaundice is usually not serious and goes away on its own, it can, in rare cases, be a sign of a more serious problem.

Bilirubin levels are usually tested by taking a blood sample. For newborns, blood is typically taken from the heel, or sometimes from the umbilical cord. In adults, blood is usually taken from one arm.

There are two types of bilirubin: conjugated (direct) and unconjugated (indirect). A build-up of either type can result in jaundice. Jaundice acts as a clinical indicator for liver disease, as well as various other conditions.

The treatment of choice for jaundice is the correction of the underlying condition, when possible. In newborns, jaundice is usually treated with phototherapy, and in extreme cases, a complete blood transfusion may be required.

The yellowing of the skin can be difficult to see in dark-skinned babies

Jaundice is a common condition in newborn babies, with about 60% of newborns experiencing it. It is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood, which is a yellow substance that forms as red blood cells break down. Newborns have more red blood cells than older children and adults, and their livers may not be developed enough to properly remove bilirubin.

The yellowing of the skin caused by jaundice can be difficult to see in dark-skinned babies. A good way to check for jaundice in dark-skinned babies is to press gently on the baby's skin in a spot where the bone is close by, such as the forehead, nose, chest, or shin. This pushes out the blood briefly and should make the skin paler for a few seconds. If the skin looks yellow instead of pale, the baby may have jaundice.

Another way to check for jaundice in dark-skinned babies is to look at the whites of their eyes. Jaundice can also cause the whites of the eyes to turn yellow. It is important to examine the baby in good lighting conditions, preferably in natural daylight.

If you suspect that your baby has jaundice, it is important to consult a healthcare provider. Jaundice usually goes away on its own within one to two weeks, but in some cases, it can lead to serious complications, such as brain damage, if left untreated.

Jaundice usually goes away on its own within 1-2 weeks

Jaundice is a common condition in newborn babies, affecting around 60% of full-term babies and 80% of premature babies during their first week of life. It is characterised by a yellow discolouration of the skin and the whites of the eyes, caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when red blood cells break down, which the liver then filters from the bloodstream.

Newborn jaundice usually goes away on its own within 1-2 weeks, as the baby's liver becomes more effective at processing bilirubin. This is known as physiologic jaundice, and it typically appears on the second or third day of life. By the time a baby is about two weeks old, their liver is more mature and can remove bilirubin from the blood more efficiently, causing the jaundice to clear up.

In most cases, newborn jaundice is harmless and does not require treatment. However, it is important to monitor the condition and seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or persist beyond two weeks. In rare cases, untreated jaundice can lead to severe health complications such as kernicterus, a type of brain damage.

To manage mild jaundice, it is recommended to breastfeed or formula-feed the baby frequently (8-12 times a day for breastfed babies and every 2-3 hours for formula-fed babies) to stimulate regular bowel movements, which help eliminate bilirubin from the body.

In some cases, babies with severe jaundice or those who do not respond to feeding interventions may require additional treatment, such as phototherapy or exchange transfusion, to lower bilirubin levels and prevent potential health risks.

In rare cases, jaundice can cause permanent brain damage

Jaundice is a common condition in newborn babies, affecting 60-80% of newborns. It is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood, which is produced when red blood cells break down. In most cases, jaundice goes away on its own and is mild, but in rare cases, it can lead to severe jaundice and cause permanent brain damage.

When left untreated, severe jaundice can lead to a rare condition called kernicterus, which is a form of brain damage caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Kernicterus can have serious and permanent health complications, including movement disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, hearing loss, and cerebral palsy.

The risk of kernicterus is higher in babies with certain risk factors, such as premature birth, blood type differences between the mother and baby, and a family history of jaundice. It is also more difficult to recognize jaundice in babies with darker skin, increasing the risk of it going untreated and leading to kernicterus.

To prevent kernicterus, it is important to monitor newborns for jaundice, especially in the first few days of life when bilirubin levels are typically at their highest. Treatment for severe jaundice may include light therapy, intravenous fluids, and blood transfusions to lower bilirubin levels and prevent brain damage.

While kernicterus is a rare condition, affecting less than 1% of infants, it can have devastating consequences for affected families. However, with prompt treatment, further brain damage can be stopped, and the resulting problems can sometimes be improved or resolved with therapy or medication.

Breastfed babies are more likely to develop jaundice

Jaundice is a common condition in newborn babies, affecting about 60% of newborns. It is caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the blood, which is produced when the liver breaks down red blood cells.

Jaundice usually occurs a few days after birth and can last for about one to two weeks. In formula-fed babies, it typically clears up within two weeks, whereas in breastfed babies, it can last for more than two to three weeks. In rare cases, jaundice can last for up to eight to twelve weeks in breastfed babies.

Now, let's focus on why breastfed babies are more likely to develop jaundice:

Breastfed babies, especially those who are not breastfeeding well, are more prone to developing jaundice. This is because they may be receiving inadequate milk intake, leading to dehydration and inadequate calorie intake. Breastfed babies may also experience a delay in passing meconium (the first tar-like stools). This delay results in increased reabsorption of bilirubin in the intestines, causing higher bilirubin levels in the body.

Additionally, breast milk itself may play a role in the development of jaundice. Some substances in breast milk, such as pregnane-3a,20ß-diol, interleukin IL1ß, and ß-glucuronidase, are believed to inhibit the infant's liver from effectively processing and excreting bilirubin. This results in higher bilirubin levels and an increased risk of jaundice.

It is important to note that jaundice in breastfed babies is typically benign and often resolves without discontinuing breastfeeding. However, parents should monitor their baby's condition and seek medical advice if they have concerns or if jaundice persists for an extended period.

Frequently asked questions