Jaundice is a common condition in newborns. It appears as a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes in many babies. Physiologic or "normal" jaundice appears at about three days and often disappears within a week.

Probably two-thirds of all babies get physiologic jaundice. In most cases, jaundice causes no problems. However, if the jaundice is present at birth or within the first 24 hours, or is more severe, treatment is likely. Jaundice usually occurs because the liver and other organs are not yet fully mature. One function of the liver is to rid the blood of broken down red blood cells. Bilirubin is one of the breakdown products of red blood cells. Until a baby's liver begins to function fully, bilirubin can build up in the bloodstream, causing the skin and whites of the eyes to become yellow.

There are also other reasons for high bilirubin levels. Babies bruised at birth and babies born to diabetic mothers or premature babies are more likely to develop jaundice. There are two other, potentially more serious reasons for jaundice. One is called ABO incompatibility. The mother has "O" blood and the baby has either "A" or "B" blood type. Jaundice usually appears within the first two days after birth.

Another kind of jaundice occurs when the mother has Rh-negative blood and the baby has RH-positive blood. Jaundice may occur at birth or on the first day of life. With the introduction of Rhogam given to expectant mothers around 28 weeks of pregnancy and following each childbirth, this type jaundice has become more unusual.

Treatment for jaundice depends on the suspected reasons for that jaundice. Phototherapy is a treatment using light. Sunlight or artificial light speeds up the removal of bilirubin from the blood by the liver. The baby's skin is exposed to special, high-intensity lights. The eyes are covered to protect them from the lights. The baby is kept warm under those lights. Blood tests are done periodically until the bilirubin level drops to a safe point. Some minor side effects of phototherapy include a rash or loose stools. Some babies may stay a little longer in the hospital for treatment, but many babies receive phototherapy at home.

Home phototherapy is available through the Baptist Hospital East Home Health Agency. For more information, call (502) 454-5656 or (800) 248-0289.

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