Jaundice in itself is not a disease but a sign occurring as a result of many other diseases. Jaundice is a condition wherein blood in a patient contains high levels of the chemical bilirubin and this in turn causes yellowish staining of the skin and in the whites of the eyes.

Jaundice is associated with a number of other diseases which can be identified as the cause of jaundice in a person. Neonatal jaundice is very common in newborn babies as a result of high level of red blood cells and inability to process bilirubin as the liver is not yet developed.

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1. What is jaundice

Some degree of jaundice is normal in every infant. However, jaundice can be dangerous if the bilirubin reaches too high a level. If the blood and skin are filled with bilirubin, it can be deposited in the brain where it can lead to hearing loss and damage the developing nervous system. Many factors such as the infant’s age, whether the infant was full term or premature, and the presence of other medical problems such as infection, will help determine the type of treatment as well as when to start treatment.

If your doctor identifies risk factors in your baby, it will be important for you to watch your baby closely for jaundice. Your baby may need to see a doctor 24 hours after discharge.

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1. What Causes Jaundice