Understanding Neonatal Jaundice — A Guide for Parents
Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common conditions affecting newborns. Understanding its causes, recognising the signs, and knowing when to seek treatment can help parents respond confidently and ensure their baby receives timely care.
What Is Neonatal Jaundice?
Neonatal jaundice occurs when a newborn's blood contains elevated levels of bilirubin — a yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Because a newborn's liver is still maturing, it may not process bilirubin efficiently, leading to a yellowish tint on the skin and eyes.
Physiological jaundice affects approximately 60% of full-term babies and up to 80% of premature infants within the first week. While usually mild and self-resolving, very high bilirubin levels require medical treatment to prevent complications.
Common Signs Parents Should Watch For
- Yellowing of the skin starting from the face and spreading downward
- Yellow tint in the whites of the baby's eyes
- Dark yellow urine or pale stools
- Excessive sleepiness or difficulty waking for feeds
- Poor feeding or weak sucking reflex
- High-pitched or inconsolable crying
Treatment: Phototherapy
Phototherapy is the standard treatment when bilirubin levels exceed safe thresholds. The baby is placed under specialised blue-spectrum light that converts bilirubin into a form the body can excrete more easily. Treatment duration depends on bilirubin levels and the baby's response.
Both hospital-based phototherapy and, in select cases, home-based phototherapy under medical supervision are available options. The treating paediatrician or neonatologist determines the most appropriate approach.
How Heamac Healthcare Helps
Heamac Healthcare provides neonatal phototherapy devices and a home phototherapy rental service for families whose doctor recommends home-based treatment. We also support healthcare professionals through our doctor referral and collaboration programme.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Always consult your paediatrician or neonatologist for treatment decisions about your newborn.