Neonatal jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes that appears in the first days of life, is one of the most common conditions in newborns and is caused by the accumulation of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down. Most jaundice in healthy newborns is physiological, meaning it is driven by the normal, expected transition from fetal to newborn red blood cell physiology, peaks between day 2 and day 4 of life, and resolves on its own without treatment by 2 weeks in full-term infants. However, jaundice that appears in the first 24 hours of life is always abnormal and requires urgent assessment. Jaundice that is progressing rapidly, that is reaching a level determined by the baby's age in hours and gestational age to require treatment, or that is associated with a sick or unwell baby, also requires prompt medical management. Treatment for significant neonatal jaundice is phototherapy, where the baby is placed under special blue-spectrum lights that break down bilirubin in the skin, reducing the level safely and avoiding the rare but serious complication of kernicterus, where very high bilirubin levels cause brain damage. In severe cases, an exchange transfusion may be required. At Nest Pediatric Clinic, Tilhari, Jabalpur, and Jabalpur Hospital and Research Centre, I assess all newborns with jaundice using clinical evaluation and bilirubin measurement, and I initiate phototherapy promptly when indicated.
Written by Dr. Nivedita Seehra, MBBS (Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik), DCH (Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences), Fellowship in Neonatology (IAP), AASC (Allergy Asthma Specialist Course), PGPN (Boston), Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist, Nest Pediatric Clinic, Shop No. 107, First Floor, Mohit Skyline, above Nukkad Food Point, near Hotel Viajn Mahal, Tilhari, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh 482020, and Jabalpur Hospital and Research Centre, Russel Chowk, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh 482001 (Monday to Saturday, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, phone: 8878140558). 20+ years. 25,000+ patients. Phone: +91 9009474777.
