This leaflet offers more information about prolonged neonatal jaundice. If you have any further questions or concerns, please speak to the staff member in charge of your baby’s care.
What is prolonged jaundice and why does my baby have it?
A baby with jaundice will have a yellow colouring of their skin and the whites of their eyes. This is very common in newborns. Jaundice is caused when the baby’s blood has raised levels of bilirubin, which is a normal waste product usually removed by the liver.
Bilirubin levels just after birth build up too fast for the liver to filter it all out and jaundice then occurs. Jaundice is prolonged when it lasts for more than 14 days in babies born on time or more than 21 days in babies born early.
For most babies, there is no illness causing their prolonged jaundice. It is more common in babies who are breast fed and, although it is not known why this is, it is harmless and if often referred to as “breast milk jaundice. It can also be seen in babies who are bottle fed but is less common.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The whites of your baby’s eyes and often their skin will appear yellow.
Most babies with jaundice do not have any other symptoms but some may also:
- Have dark urine (wee)
- Have pale stools (poo) instead of yellow or green
- Be excessively sleepy
- Not be feeding well
If you’re baby has any of these symptoms then you should seek medical attention prior to your planned appointment in the Prolonged Jaundice Clinic.
Does my baby need any tests to confirm the diagnosis?
Prolonged jaundice is generally physiological jaundice and in breastfed babies is often referred to as breast milk jaundice, but it can sometimes, although very rarely mean there is a blood problem, an infection, a thyroid problem or liver disease. Liver disease must be treated quickly, so it is important to identify this as soon as possible.
To rule out liver disease, we will ask questions, examine your baby and do some blood tests. In order to carry out the blood test we will need to use a needle in the back of your baby’s hand, we are unable to do a heel prick test to carry these tests out. We will then look for the type of jaundice and for other possible causes.
If there is nothing that needs to be acted upon quickly, the test results will be posted to your GP and you will be sent a copy. You should get this within two weeks.
Is there anything I can do to help my baby?
You can safely continue to feed your baby. Even if your baby is jaundiced, breastfeeding has lots of benefits for baby and mum, so we strongly encourage you to keep doing it.
What treatments are available?
Most babies with prolonged jaundice don’t need any treatment. The jaundice is harmless and usually wears off by 12-16 weeks of age.
If your baby’s tests show that there may be a problem, we will contact you to let you know. Your baby may then need more blood tests and may be referred to the specialist liver centre at Leeds Children’s Hospital. We will discuss this with you so that you know what is going to happen and what it all means.
What if my baby’s blood tests were ok but I think that they look more yellow?
If you have been told that the investigations taken in the clinic were normal but you feel your baby is looking more yellow it is important that you seek medical advice as soon as possible.