Jaundice, seen in more than half of all newborns, is most often a physiological and temporary condition related to the liver's maturation process. However, in a small number of babies high bilirubin can be dangerous — which is why monitoring is essential.

Physiological or Pathological?

Physiological Pathological (evaluation required)
Onset 2nd-3rd day First 24 hours
Spread Face-trunk Descending to palms and soles
Duration 1-2 weeks Longer than 2 weeks (in a term baby)
Accompanying signs None Poor feeding, drowsiness, vomiting, pale/white stool, dark urine

How Is Monitoring Done?

A check-up within the first 2-3 days after discharge is critical. Skin (transcutaneous) measurement or blood bilirubin is assessed on a risk curve according to the baby's age in hours. If there is a mother-baby blood group incompatibility, monitoring is intensified.

Treatment

  • Effective feeding is the first step: frequent breastfeeding (8-12 times a day) speeds up the elimination of bilirubin through the stool.
  • Phototherapy: Special blue light makes bilirubin water-soluble. It is safe and effective.
  • At very high levels, an exchange transfusion is rarely needed.
  • ❌ Giving sugar water, ❌ sunbathing behind glass, ❌ "not dressing the baby in yellow" and similar traditional practices have no place.

Breast Milk Jaundice

This is a pattern that persists after the 3rd week but in which the baby is gaining weight and has yellow stool; breastfeeding is not stopped, only monitored.

For complete monitoring throughout the newborn period: our Newborn Follow-up service