Jaundice in the Newborn - Sunnybrook Hospital

[Pages:2]Comforting your baby under phototherapy

? It is very important that your baby spend as much time as possible between feedings under the lights.

? While your baby is receiving phototherapy, he/she still needs to be touched and talked to.

? The best time to cuddle your baby and talk to him/her is during feedings.

? Some babies have trouble settling under the lights. ? Stroking and talking to your baby may help him/her to

settle. ? The nurse may place rolls beside the baby so they feel

secure. ? You may also try using the biliblanket while feeding the

baby.

What do I need to know about jaundice at home?

If you baby was under phototherapy on the day of discharge, a healthcare provider should see your baby within the next 24 hours for further assessment.

You should call the baby's doctor if: ? Your baby's skin appears yellow in good light. ? The arms, legs and abdomen are yellow. ? The whites of the eyes are yellow. ? Your baby is hard to wake up, is fussy or not nursing or taking formula well.

Putting your baby in sunlight is not recommended as a safe way to treat jaundice at home.

References: Canadian Pediatric Society American Pediatric Association

Jaundice in the Newborn

It is normal for parents to be concerned when they hear "Your baby looks jaundiced".

We hope this pamphlet will provide information to decrease any concerns during your hospital stay and at home.

Please ask your nurse if you have any further questions.

What is Jaundice?

? Jaundice is common in newborns and is the yellowing of the skin that can occur in babies of any nationality.

? Jaundice occurs when a chemical called bilirubin builds up in the baby's blood.

? Bilirubin levels are usually at their highest between 3-5 days after birth.

Why is Jaundice common in newborns?

? Bilirubin is in everyone's blood and is removed by the liver.

? Before birth, the mother's liver does this for the baby. ? A newborn's liver is not fully matured to remove bilirubin

at birth, causing jaundice in the first few days of life.

Which babies require more attention for jaundice?

Some babies have a higher risk for increased bilirubin, such as babies:

Born at less than 37 weeks gestation Weighing less than 2500 gms at birth With birth related bruising Who have jaundice in the first 24 hours Who have an infection Who needed resuscitation at birth Who are breastfeeding ineffectively

Can jaundice hurt my infant?

? Most babies have mild jaundice that is harmless ? In unusual situations the bilirubin level can get high

enough to cause brain damage

How is my baby checked for jaundice?

? The nurse will use a skin test or `flash' on the baby's forehead to screen the jaundice level.

? A blood test will be done if the `flash' indicates the jaundice level is high.

? A bilirubin blood test is always necessary if jaundice occurs in the first 24 hours

How can jaundice be decreased?

? Breast milk has a laxative effect and helps babies to get rid of bilirubin through their bowels.

? If you are breastfeeding, you should nurse your baby effectively 8-12 times each day. This will help produce enough milk and increase the number of wet and dirty diapers which will help eliminate the bilirubin The need for treatment is dependant on the age of the baby and the jaundice level.

? One way to reduce the bilirubin levels is to expose the undressed baby under special lights, a process called phototherapy.

? Phototherapy is safe and only used when necessary until the baby's liver gets better at removing the bilirubin.

What to expect when my baby is under phototherapy?

? The baby's eyes are protected from the light by eye patches

? The baby may have frequent, loose, green bowel movements while under phototherapy. This is temporary and the baby's bowel movements will return to normal after the bilirubin level decreases.

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