Useful Web addresses:

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence www.nice.org.uk

NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

Patient: Jaundice www.patient.info Signs and Symptoms of

Children’s Liver Disease Foundation Newborn Jaundice

www.childliverdisease.org

Information for parents and carers

Ward 23 This leaflet is available in audio, Braille, Leighton Hospital large print and other languages. Middlewich Road To request a copy, please telephone Crewe 01270 612287. Cheshire CW1 4QJ

Direct Line: 01270 612287

Reprinted March 2020 Review March 2022 Ref: WC/MS/0740320 www.mchft.nhs.uk We care because you matter

What is Newborn Jaundice? What should I do if I think my baby is As a parent how can I help? jaundiced? It is very common for newborn babies to Your role as a parent is very important. If become jaundiced within the first two weeks You should contact your Community Midwife your baby has any form of jaundice then the of their life , however if your baby becomes on the number in the front of your pregnancy first priority is to ensure your baby is drinking jaundiced within the first 24 hours of life, care record. If you are concerned or unable enough milk. Your baby should be having a seek urgent medical advice from Ward 23 to contact your Community Midwife, please feed at least every three hours to help bodily (01270 612287). ring Ward 23 (01270 612287). processes reduce the jaundice. If you have difficulty with feeding - speak to your Midwife Physiological jaundice occurs in around one In most cases jaundice is not harmful to your about a feeding plan. third of all babies, when red blood cells are baby and will often be gone by day 10. If broken down in the circulation and during your baby is still showing signs of being What treatment is available? this process a chemical called bilirubin is jaundiced at 14 days of age or becomes made. Bilirubin is usually changed in the liver jaundiced after a period of normal skin Jaundice is treated by phototherapy. This is and removed from the body through passing colour, seek advice from your Midwife, a safe and effective blue-light treatment for urine and stools. There is a delay in this Health Visitor or GP. jaundice. It works by your baby’s skin process, as most babies’ livers need a few absorbing blue light which helps to change days to start working properly and that’s why How will my baby be tested for jaundice? the excess bilirubin into a harmless form. many newborns become jaundiced. The bilirubin is then more easily processed With your consent, a Midwife or Paediatrician and removed through your baby’s urine and Babies who appear jaundiced may need will measure the amount of bilirubin in your stools. blood tests to see if they need treatment. In baby’s blood. This is done either by placing a rare cases, jaundice can indicate your baby hand-held device over your baby’s forehead If your baby requires phototherapy, an may be unwell and need further assessment or chest, or by taking a blood sample from additional leaflet will be given to you and treatment. your baby’s foot. containing details about how to care for your baby and further treatment. Your baby may show signs that they are The results will show whether your baby jaundiced; signs you should look out for are: requires further testing or treatment, this will be discussed with you by the Midwife or  Yellowing of their skin, usually their face Paediatrician. and forehead which then spreads to their body.

 Yellowing of the whites of their eyes, gums and roof of their mouth.

 If your baby is sleeping all day and too sleepy or reluctant to feed.