Jaundice in babies

The main symptom of jaundice in babies is their eyes or skin look yellow.

You may notice yellow:

• in the whites of their eyes
• on their skin – this usually starts on the face and head and can spread to the rest of the body
• under their tongue or inside their cheeks

The yellow can be easier to see in bright light or sunlight. Pressing gently on the tip of your baby’s nose or forehead may also make the yellow easier to see.

It can be harder to see yellow on black or brown skin.

For most babies with jaundice, the yellow is most noticeable when they’re around 3 days old. It usually takes around 2 weeks for the jaundice to go.

Jaundice in babies is usually caused when a newborn baby’s liver is not able to work properly immediately. This can cause a build-up of a waste product called bilirubin, which is usually removed from the body by the liver.

After a few weeks, the baby’s liver should develop fully and bilirubin levels will return to normal.

Other causes of newborn jaundice include:

• being born with Gilbert’s syndrome, which is a common and usually harmless condition that causes episodes of jaundice
• infections such as rubella (german measles)
• the baby having a different blood type from their mother – haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
• problems with how a baby’s liver works

In most babies, jaundice is not a sign of another health condition.

Your baby will be regularly checked for signs of jaundice by your care team in the first few days after they’re born.

If they show signs of jaundice, their bilirubin levels will be measured. This can be done using a blood test or by pressing a special light on their skin.

Other tests can be used if the jaundice could be caused by something serious, like an infection or liver problems.

These tests can include:

• blood tests
• pee tests
• ultrasound scans of your baby’s liver

Most babies with jaundice usually get better without treatment.

Encouraging your baby to feed regularly, around 8 to 12 times a day, can help them get better more quickly. If they’re sleepy, try waking them for feeds.

Ask your midwife or GP for advice if you’re finding it difficult to feed your baby, or you’re not sure they are feeding enough

If your baby needs treatment, this is usually phototherapy.

Phototherapy involves shining a special light on their skin. It’s usually done while your baby is lying in a cot in hospital, but sometimes you may be given equipment you can use at home.

Most babies need around 48 hours of phototherapy.

Rarely, your baby may need a blood transfusion or medicine into a vein. This is done in hospital.

The main symptom of jaundice is yellowing of the skin on your baby's face and head and in the whites of their eyes.

Jaundice in babies is caused by the build-up of a waste product called bilirubin, which is usually removed from the body by the liver.

Newborn babies are regularly checked for jaundice. If signs are found, then their bilirubin levels can be measured.

Most babies with jaundice usually get better without treatment. If treatment is needed, then phototherapy and blood transfusions can be effective.