Jaundice is a condition in which skin and whites of eyes take on a yellow color due to excess of bilirubin in the blood. A healthy liver processes bilirubin which is then excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice is quite common among infants and occurs mostly due to a still-developing liver.

Types and Causes of jaundice in infants

Normal jaundice which occurs in more than half of the full-term babies due to the immaturity of baby’s liver. It can occur between 2 to 4 days of birth and generally disappears by 1 to 2 weeks of age.

Jaundice of pre-maturity occurs in 4 out of 5 premature babies, since they take longer to adjust to excreting bilirubin.

Breast-milk jaundice is caused by substances in mother’s milk that prevents bilirubin from being excreted from the intestines. It occurs in 1% to 2% of the babies, between 4-7 days of age and lasts till 3-10 weeks of age.

Due to Blood group incompatibility between mother and child the baby may receive anti-bodies produced in the mother’s body through the placenta. This results in baby’s red blood cells breaking quickly. Since, bilirubin is a molecule that forms when the body recycles damaged red blood cells, excess of it forms in the body.

Symptoms of Jaundice

Jaundice results in yellowing of skin and whites of eyes. It is first visible on the face and then the chest and rest of the body.

To check if your baby has developed jaundice press your finger on his\her nose or forehead. If the skin turns yellowish on pressing, you should contact your doctor to see if significant jaundice is present.

If your baby is pre-mature then you should also check for symptoms like excessive lethargy, high-pitched crying and weakness or limpness.

Treatment of Jaundice

In case of mild jaundice the baby will take care of it on its own within 5-7 days. In other cases, treatments like phototherapy, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or blood transfusion may be used.

You can help the baby by feeding him breast-milk more frequently or substituting it by formula milk for a few days. This will help him pass bilirubin in stools.

In rare and severe cases jaundice in infants can lead to cerebral palsy, deafness and Kernicterus. It is essential to identify the exact cause of jaundice so that appropriate treatment can be given to the baby.