Jaundice in Newborns

The following are considered major risk factors for jaundice. Your newborn is much more likely to develop jaundice if any of the following are true:

• Your baby's bilirubin level was checked and found to be in the "high-risk" zone. (Ask your nurse or doctor for help with this one.)
• There was an incompatibility between the mother's blood and the baby's blood. (You'll need the help of your doctor or nurse for this one too.)
• Your baby has a hemolytic disease (a condition in which blood cells can break down, like G6PD deficiency).
• Your baby was born at 35-36 weeks.
• The baby's brother or sister (sibling) had significant jaundice that required treatment.
• Your baby had a large swollen bump on the scalp (cephalohematoma) or bruising anywhere on the body from the delivery.
• You are exclusively breastfeeding your baby.
• Your baby has lost more than 10% of his birth weight.
• Your baby's race is East Asian.

The following are considered minor risk factors for jaundice. Your newborn is somewhat more likely to develop jaundice if any of the following are true:

• Your baby's bilirubin level was checked and found to be in the "high intermediate-risk" zone. (Ask your nurse or doctor for help with this one.)
• Your baby was born at 37 to 38 weeks.
• The baby's brother or sister (sibling) had jaundice.
• The baby's mother had diabetes during pregnancy and the baby is large.
• The mother is older than 25.
• The baby is a boy.

NOTE: these are listed in approximate order of importance.

Does your baby exhibit any of the above risk factors? Yes, my baby exhibits at least one of these risk factors. No, my baby does not exhibit any of these risk factors.

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Online Medical Reviewer: Faculty of Harvard Medical School Date Last Reviewed: 10/3/2006 Date Last Modified: 9/5/2006 Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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