Yellow coloration of skin, conjunctiva, along with dark yellow colored urine and increased bilurubin and biliverdin level in blood is called as Jaundice or Ictrus. Ictrus is the medical term used for jaundice. Bilirubin is the byproduct formed after the breakdown of red blood cells. Jaundice found in newborn is called as Newborn jaundice or jaundice in newborns.

Before the birth of the baby (neonate), the maternal placenta maintains the function of carrying excess bilirubin. When the baby born, The liver is not fully capable to do physiological function. Gradually it starts the process and in mean time the physiological jaundice is appeared because the baby’s liver doesn’t purify excess bilirubin in blood.

Increased blood bilirubin level is known as hyperbilirubinemia and yellow coloration of mucus membrane is seen with increased bilirubin in blood. Jaundice is derived from French word mean yellow color. In jaundice, excess bilirubin is deposited in extracellular fluid and that turns skin into yellow color.

Newborn jaundice is truly physiological and is not harmful for the baby. Excess breakdown of red blood cells forms high bilirubin in blood. Liver does the function of breaking old Red blood cells. When old RBC level increases, excess breakdown occurs and increased bilurubin comes to blood stream, that causes jaundice.

Causes of newborn jaundice, what causes newborn jaundice ?

Causes of Jaundice in newborns are

• Newborn jaundice is of physiological cause.
• Viral hepatitis causes jaundice in newborn,
• Autoimmune disease, (hepatitis),
• Hemolytic anemia,
• Biliary atresia in newborn causes jaundice.
• Gilbert’s syndrome,
• Newborn defects also causes newborn jaundice.
• Newborn feeding problems,

During the first week of life more than 2 % of babies undergo newborn jaundice because of physiological problems. Dehydration and/ or  low caloric intake is believed as the cause of Physiological jaundice. After a baby is one week old physiological jaundice appears and no treatment is needed for physiological jaundice. Substances present in mothers milk, and decrease infant liver capacity to deal with RBC and bilirubin may cause newborn jaundice.

Nearly 1 to 2 % of newborns get jaundice in the first week. In general newborn jaundice is diagnosed on third day, up to sixth day. Premature babies also get jaundice because of physiological abnormality. Dehydration and deficit milk feeding to the new born also causes physiological jaundice. Most of the physiological jaundice in new born disappears within a week and no treatment is needed. Nutritive contents of mother milk, decreased newborn liver capacity causes too favors jaundice.

Diagnosis of Jaundice in newborns

• Physical examination shows cornea and conjunctiva are yellow, yellowish urine,
• Yellow color cornea and conjunctiva indicates jaundice.
• Increased bilirubin in blood serum.
• Blood culture helps to identify hepatitis,
• Excess bilirubin level in newborn urine confirms infant jaundice.
• Liver biopsy to identify liver diseases,
• Ultrasounds scan of abdomen shows any liver abnormality.
• These are the diagnostic tests to find neonatal jaundice.

Treatment of Jaundice in newborns

Treatment of  jaundice : Physiological jaundice in newborn is normal, and 99 % of newborn jaundice heal by themselves and need no treatment unless notable physiological abnormality is found in newborn.

Jaundice in newborns Treatment to be given by the Neonatologist or Pediatrician. Thorough clinical examination and diagnostic tests helps in opting treatment for jaundice.

Newborn jaundice with hepatitis need immediate and extra incentive care to save the baby. Treatment of jaundice in newborns include, elevating the cause of newborn jaundice, relieving symptoms, and nutrition supplementation of baby or infant.

Extra cellular bilirubin blood level must be reduced to normal by administering drugs.