Assess all possible risks for jaundice: not just the mother's blood type but also gestational age, family history, any bruising, how early jaundice appears, and other factors. Use a device to check bilirubin level at 24 to 48 hours of life, or sooner if a newborn looks jaundiced or is going home earlier.

The yellow color of newborn jaundice is caused by high levels of a substance called bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin mostly comes from the breakdown of red blood cells. It gets processed in the liver to make it easier for the body to get rid of through the urine and stool.

Assess all possible risks for jaundice: not just the mother's blood type but also gestational age, family history, any bruising, how early jaundice appears, and other factors. Use a device to check bilirubin level at 24 to 48 hours of life, or sooner if a newborn looks jaundiced or is going home earlier.

Normal bilirubin levels are usually under 5mg/dL, but most newborns have it above 5mg/dL and.

Health Library J Jaundice What is Jaundice? Over half of all newborns develop some amount of jaundice, a yellow coloring in their skin, during the first week of life. This is usually temporary, but could be a sign of a more serious illness. Jaundice is caused by the breakdown of red blood cells.

The symptoms of jaundice include yellowing of the skin and yellowing of the eyes. Some times in severe cases of jaundice, a baby will seem very sleepy and have a hard time feeding. Is Newborn Jaundice Harmful? If jaundice is left untreated and bilirubin levels reach limits exceeding 25mg, there is the possibility of cerebral palsy, deafness, or.

What is hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)? "Hemolytic" means breaking down of red blood cells "Erythroblastosis" refers to making of immature red blood cells "Fetalis" refers to fetus

Phototherapy should be instituted when the total serum bilirubin level is at or above 15 mg per dL (257 mol per L) in infants 25 to 48 hours old, 18 mg per dL (308 mol per L) in infants 49 to.