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Newborn Jaundice and Bilirubin Testing and Treatment

At 24 hours of age, your baby will have a bilirubin screening. Bilirubin is the result of the normal physiological process of destroying red blood cells when they become too old. Elevated levels of bilirubin can cause jaundice, or a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.

Neonatal jaundice usually begins within a few days after birth and occurs in more than half of all newborns. Most cases of jaundice are mild and resolve on their own, but some cases require treatment.

Bilirubin Testing

Your doctor may test for bilirubin by pricking your baby's heel to obtain a small amount of blood or by using a light test on your baby's forehead. If your baby's bilirubin level is high, they'll likely get treated with phototherapy.

Newborn Jaundice Treatment

During traditional phototherapy, your baby will lie in an enclosed plastic crib where their skin will absorb a type of fluorescent light. This procedure changes the bilirubin into another form that your baby can more easily excrete through their stool or urine.

Another type of phototherapy uses a fiber-optic blanket or band, which wraps around your baby. You can also use this at home.

Although this is method effective, it takes longer than traditional phototherapy performed in a hospital setting. It's a good option if your baby has mild jaundice.


Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-09-05.