Anatom3D
ENCZDE
Download

Newborn jaundice

Icterus neonatorum · Novorozenecká žloutenka

What it is

Yellow skin in the first days of life, as a new liver meets the bilirubin of red cells breaking down; usually harmless, dangerous only at high levels.

Symptoms & signs

  • Yellow skin and eyes from day 2–3
  • sleepy baby
  • poor feeding
  • dark urine or pale stools (needs checking)
  • jaundice in the first 24 hours (urgent)

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Yellow baby who is very sleepy, floppy or will not feed
  • call 112 / 911 now High-pitched cry or arching back
  • see a doctor soon Jaundice in the first 24 hours of life
  • see a doctor soon Pale chalky stools or dark urine, or jaundice past 2 weeks

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Bilirubin measurement against charts
  • phototherapy
  • exchange transfusion at very high levels
  • investigate early or prolonged jaundice

Natural & lifestyle

  • Frequent breastfeeding
  • keep the baby warm and fed
  • watch for sleepiness

Emerging & experimental

  • Transcutaneous screening apps
  • tin mesoporphyrin to block bilirubin production

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Sunlight by the window — the traditional remedy; it helps a little but risks cooling and sunburn; phototherapy is the safe form anecdotal / traditional
  • Probiotics — trials suggest faster fall in bilirubin early / small studies
  • Water or glucose water supplements — tested: no benefit, and they reduce feeding not confirmed in trials

ICD codes