Neonatal Jaundice Treatment
Neonatal Jaundice Treatment at GEM Hospital
Neonatal jaundice, also called newborn jaundice, causes a baby’s skin and the whites of the eyes to look yellow. It develops when a substance called bilirubin builds up in the baby’s blood.
Newborn jaundice is common and many babies improve without medical treatment. However, some babies can develop high bilirubin levels that require close monitoring and timely care.
At Gem Hospital in Chennai, newborns are evaluated to understand the level and possible cause of jaundice. Our team provides safe, family-centred Jaundice Treatment in Chennai based on the baby’s age, bilirubin level, feeding pattern and overall health.
If your baby looks yellow, is not feeding properly or is unusually sleepy, contact a doctor promptly.
What is Neonatal Jaundice?
Neonatal jaundice is a common condition that affects newborn babies, particularly during the first few days after birth.
Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when old red blood cells are broken down. The liver normally processes bilirubin so that it can leave the body through stools and urine.
A newborn baby’s liver is still developing and may not process bilirubin quickly enough. As a result, bilirubin can build up in the blood and make the baby’s skin and eyes look yellow.
In most babies, jaundice is mild and improves as the liver matures. Some babies need bilirubin monitoring or treatment to prevent the level from becoming too high.
What causes Jaundice in Newborn Babies?
Newborn jaundice can have several causes.
Physiological jaundice
Physiological jaundice is the most common type. It usually appears after the first day of life because the newborn’s liver is still learning to process bilirubin efficiently.
Jaundice related to inadequate feeding
Some newborns may not receive enough breast milk during the first few days. This can reduce bowel movements and make it harder for the baby to remove bilirubin.
A feeding assessment and breastfeeding support may help. Parents should not stop breastfeeding unless advised by the baby’s doctor.
Breast milk jaundice
Some breastfed babies develop jaundice that lasts longer than usual despite feeding and growing well. A doctor should assess prolonged jaundice to rule out other causes.
Premature birth
Babies born early have less-developed livers and may process bilirubin more slowly. Premature babies also have a higher risk of developing significant jaundice.
Blood group incompatibility
Differences between the mother’s and baby’s blood groups, including Rh or ABO incompatibility, may cause the baby’s red blood cells to break down faster. This can quickly increase bilirubin levels.
Bruising during birth
Bruising or a collection of blood beneath the scalp can increase the number of red blood cells being broken down, leading to additional bilirubin production.
Infection
Certain infections can cause or worsen newborn jaundice. A baby with jaundice and fever, poor feeding or unusual sleepiness needs urgent medical assessment.
Enzyme or inherited conditions
Conditions such as G6PD deficiency can cause red blood cells to break down more rapidly. Other inherited conditions may affect how bilirubin is processed.
Parents seeking Jaundice Treatment in Coimbatore should tell the doctor about premature birth, feeding difficulties, birth-related bruising, family blood disorders and any previous child who required treatment for jaundice.
Symptoms of Neonatal Jaundice
The main sign of neonatal jaundice is yellowing of the baby’s skin or eyes. Yellowing may begin on the face before spreading to the chest, abdomen, arms or legs.
Signs parents may notice include:
Yellowing can be harder to recognize in babies with darker skin. Parents can look at the whites of the eyes, gums and inside of the mouth, but a visual check cannot determine the bilirubin level accurately.
Babies receiving Jaundice Treatment in Chennai may require bilirubin measurements even when the visible yellow colour appears mild.
When does Newborn Jaundice require urgent care?
Contact a doctor promptly whenever you notice jaundice in a newborn. Medical assessment is particularly important if jaundice appears during the first 24 hours after birth.
Seek urgent medical care if your baby:
Very high bilirubin levels can affect a baby’s brain. Prompt testing and treatment can reduce the risk of serious complications.
How is Neonatal Jaundice Diagnosed?
The doctor examines the baby and asks when the yellowing began, how well the baby is feeding and how many wet and dirty nappies the baby is producing.
At Gem Hospital Coimbatore, the assessment is based on the baby’s age in hours, gestational age, birth history, bilirubin level and other risk factors.
Families visiting the hospital for Jaundice Treatment in Coimbatore may be advised to undergo the following assessments:
Physical examination
The doctor checks the baby’s skin, eyes, alertness, feeding and general health. Physical examination alone cannot accurately measure the bilirubin level.
Transcutaneous bilirubin test
A handheld device may be placed gently against the baby’s skin to estimate the bilirubin level. This is a quick and non-invasive test.
Blood bilirubin test
A small blood sample may be collected to measure the baby’s total serum bilirubin. The result is interpreted according to the baby’s age and clinical risk factors.
Mother’s and baby’s blood group tests
Blood group testing can help identify Rh or ABO incompatibility.
Direct Coombs test
This test may be used when doctors suspect that antibodies are causing the baby’s red blood cells to break down.
Complete blood count
A blood count can help identify anemia, infection or increased red blood cell destruction.
Additional investigations
Depending on the baby’s condition, the doctor may recommend tests for infection, G6PD deficiency, thyroid problems or other less common causes.
Babies with prolonged jaundice may require additional blood, urine or imaging tests to check for liver, thyroid, metabolic or bile-flow conditions.
Neonatal Jaundice Treatment
Treatment depends on the baby’s bilirubin level, age, gestational age and risk factors. Mild neonatal jaundice may only require feeding support and continued monitoring.
Regular monitoring
The bilirubin level may be checked again after a recommended interval. Monitoring helps doctors determine whether it is falling, remaining stable or rising.
Parents should attend all follow-up appointments, even if the baby appears well.
Feeding support
Regular and effective feeding helps the baby pass bilirubin through stools. A healthcare professional may check the baby’s feeding technique, weight and hydration.
Breastfeeding should usually continue. If additional feeding is medically necessary, the doctor or feeding specialist will advise the family.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy is the most common treatment for significant neonatal jaundice. The baby is placed under a special blue light that changes bilirubin into a form the body can remove more easily.
The baby’s eyes are protected during treatment. Feeding, temperature, hydration and bilirubin levels are monitored regularly.
Phototherapy is different from ordinary sunlight. Parents should not place a newborn in direct sunlight as a substitute for medical treatment because sunlight cannot be controlled safely and may cause overheating or skin damage.
Intravenous immunoglobulin
Intravenous immunoglobulin may be considered in selected babies whose jaundice is caused by blood group incompatibility and rapid red blood cell destruction.
Exchange transfusion
An exchange transfusion may be required in rare and severe cases when bilirubin is dangerously high or does not respond adequately to intensive phototherapy.
During this procedure, small amounts of the baby’s blood are gradually replaced with compatible donor blood. It is performed in a closely monitored hospital setting.
The care team providing Jaundice Treatment in Coimbatore selects treatment according to recognized bilirubin thresholds and the individual baby’s risk factors.
Why choose GEM Hospital for Neonatal Jaundice Care?
Newborn jaundice requires careful assessment because the safe bilirubin level differs according to the baby’s age and health.
GEM Hospital provides:
At Gem Hospital in Chennai, the care team helps parents understand their baby’s bilirubin results and the recommended treatment plan. Families choosing Jaundice Treatment in Chennai receive guidance about feeding, monitoring, follow-up and warning signs.
Caring for a Baby with Jaundice at Home
Parents should follow the advice given by their baby’s doctor.
Helpful steps may include:
Do not give water, glucose water, herbal products or home remedies unless specifically recommended by the baby’s doctor.
Home care is not a replacement for bilirubin testing or prescribed treatment.
How Long Does Neonatal Jaundice Last?
Mild physiological jaundice often improves as the baby’s liver matures. In many full-term babies, the yellowing settles within approximately two weeks.
Jaundice may last longer in premature or breastfed babies. However, prolonged jaundice should be assessed rather than assumed to be harmless.
The recovery period depends on:
The doctor will advise when repeat testing or follow-up is necessary.
Book an Appointment for Neonatal Jaundice
Do not wait for newborn jaundice to become severe before asking for medical advice. Contact a doctor if your baby’s skin or eyes appear yellow, especially if the baby is not feeding well or is unusually sleepy.
Parents can book an appointment at Gem Hospital Coimbatore for bilirubin assessment and Jaundice Treatment in Coimbatore.
Families can also consult our newborn care team for Jaundice Treatment in Chennai by choosing the appropriate GEM Hospital centre during appointment booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Neonatal jaundice is yellowing of a newborn baby’s skin and eyes caused by bilirubin buildup in the blood. It is common because a newborn’s liver may not yet process bilirubin efficiently.
Yes. Mild jaundice is common during the first few days after birth and often improves as the baby’s liver matures. However, every visibly jaundiced newborn should be assessed appropriately.
Common physiological jaundice usually appears after the first 24 hours. Jaundice that begins within the first day of life requires urgent medical assessment.
Bilirubin may be estimated using a handheld device placed against the skin or measured with a small blood sample. The result is interpreted according to the baby’s age and risk factors.
Phototherapy uses a special blue light to help the baby’s body remove bilirubin. It is commonly used when the bilirubin level reaches a treatment threshold.
Direct sunlight should not replace medically prescribed phototherapy. Sunlight exposure cannot be measured or controlled safely and may cause overheating or skin damage.
Breastfeeding usually continues and regular effective feeding can help the baby remove bilirubin. Parents who have concerns about feeding should ask a doctor or feeding specialist for support.
Many newborns feed between 8 and 12 times in 24 hours, but individual needs differ. Parents should follow the advice of their pediatrician or feeding specialist.
Mild jaundice often improves within about two weeks in full-term babies. It may last longer in premature or breastfed babies. Persistent jaundice requires medical evaluation.
Yes. Very high bilirubin levels can affect the brain if they are not treated promptly. This is uncommon when jaundice is recognized, monitored and treated appropriately.
Seek urgent care if a jaundiced baby is difficult to wake, refuses feeds, has breathing difficulty, develops a fever, becomes floppy or stiff, has a high-pitched cry or shows jerking movements.
A pediatrician or neonatologist generally evaluates and treats neonatal jaundice. Other specialists may be involved when the baby has an underlying blood, liver or metabolic condition.
