Why Are Some Babies Born with Yellow Skin?

This condition is called newborn jaundice. It is relatively common during the first few days after birth and, in most cases, can be monitored and treated effectively when properly assessed by a doctor.

What Is Newborn Jaundice?

Newborn jaundice occurs when a yellow pigment called bilirubin builds up in the baby’s blood. This causes the skin and whites of the eyes to appear yellow.

Bilirubin is produced when red blood cells naturally break down.

While the baby is still in the womb, the mother’s body helps remove bilirubin through the placenta. After birth, the baby’s liver must begin removing bilirubin independently.

In some babies, the liver is not yet fully developed, particularly during the first two to three days after birth. As a result, bilirubin may accumulate and cause jaundice.

Why Are Some Babies Born with Jaundice?

Newborn jaundice can result from several factors.

1. The Baby’s Liver Is Not Fully Developed

A newborn’s liver, particularly in a premature baby, may not be mature enough to remove bilirubin efficiently.

When bilirubin accumulates in the blood, the baby’s skin and eyes may begin to look yellow.

2. Newborn Red Blood Cells Break Down More Quickly

Newborn babies have a higher number of red blood cells than adults, and their red blood cells have a shorter lifespan.

When these cells break down, more bilirubin is produced. If the baby’s body cannot remove it quickly enough, jaundice may develop.

3. The Baby Does Not Receive Enough Milk

During the first few days after birth, a baby who drinks too little milk, passes little urine or stool, or becomes dehydrated may remove less bilirubin through the urine and faeces.

This can cause jaundice to become more noticeable. Appropriate feeding and monitoring the baby’s urine and bowel movements are therefore important.

4. The Mother’s and Baby’s Blood Groups Are Incompatible

In some cases, incompatibility between the mother’s and baby’s blood groups, such as ABO incompatibility or Rh incompatibility, can cause the baby’s red blood cells to break down more rapidly than usual.

This may cause bilirubin levels to rise quickly and lead to more severe jaundice.

5. G6PD Deficiency or Certain Genetic Conditions

Some babies have G6PD deficiency, which makes red blood cells more likely to break down when exposed to certain triggers, including some medicines, foods, or infections.

This breakdown can cause bilirubin levels to increase.

6. Infection or Diseases of the Liver and Bile Ducts

Although less common, jaundice may be caused by infection, liver disease, or abnormalities of the bile ducts.

Medical attention is required when jaundice lasts longer than expected or occurs with other symptoms such as:

๐ Pale stools

๐ Dark urine

๐ Unusual drowsiness

๐ Poor feeding

Which Types of Jaundice Are Common, and Which Require Caution?

Newborn jaundice commonly begins around the second or third day after birth and gradually improves as the baby’s body becomes better able to remove bilirubin.

However, bilirubin levels may sometimes become high enough to require treatment.

Parents should look for the following warning signs:

๐ Increasing yellowing of the skin, particularly when it spreads to the chest, abdomen, arms, legs, palms, or soles

๐ Clearly yellow whites of the eyes

๐ Unusual drowsiness or excessive sleeping

๐ Difficulty waking the baby

๐ Poor feeding or refusing to feed

๐ An unusually high-pitched cry

๐ Abnormal limpness or stiffness

๐ Reduced urination

๐ Unusually pale stools

๐ Jaundice lasting longer than two weeks

Is Newborn Jaundice Dangerous?

Most cases of newborn jaundice are mild and improve naturally as the baby grows, the liver becomes more efficient, and the baby receives enough milk.

However, if bilirubin levels become extremely high and treatment is delayed, bilirubin may affect the baby’s nervous system and brain. This can become a serious condition and should be prevented through early assessment and monitoring.

Follow-up after birth is especially important for babies who:

๐ Were born prematurely

๐ Have a low birth weight

๐ Have siblings with a history of significant newborn jaundice

๐ Are at risk of blood-group incompatibility with the mother

How Is Newborn Jaundice Diagnosed?

The doctor will assess the baby’s skin and the whites of the eyes and measure the bilirubin level.

Bilirubin may be checked using:

๐ A device that measures bilirubin through the skin

๐ A blood test for a more detailed and accurate measurement

In some cases, the doctor may order additional tests to assess:

๐ The blood groups of the mother and baby

๐ Red blood cell breakdown

๐ Infection

๐ G6PD deficiency

These examinations help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.

How Is Newborn Jaundice Treated?

Treatment depends on several factors, including:

๐ The bilirubin level

๐ The baby’s age in hours after birth

๐ Gestational age

๐ Birth weight

๐ Other risk factors

Common treatment approaches include the following.

1. Providing Enough Milk

When jaundice is mild, the doctor may recommend ensuring that the baby receives enough milk.

Adequate feeding helps the body remove bilirubin through urine and stool. Parents should observe whether the baby feeds well and produces enough wet nappies and bowel movements.

2. Phototherapy

When the bilirubin level reaches the treatment threshold, the baby may receive phototherapy.

This treatment uses light of a specific wavelength to change bilirubin into a form that the body can remove more easily.

Phototherapy is commonly used and is considered effective. During treatment, the baby’s eyes are covered for protection, and bilirubin levels are checked periodically to assess the response.

3. Treating the Underlying Cause

When jaundice results from another condition, such as:

๐ Red blood cell breakdown

๐ Blood-group incompatibility

๐ Infection

๐ Liver or bile-duct disease

The doctor will provide treatment for the underlying cause to reduce the risk of complications.

How Should Parents Care for Their Baby at Home?

After returning home, parents should regularly observe the baby’s skin and the whites of the eyes, particularly during the first week after birth.

They should also monitor:

๐ Feeding behaviour

๐ Urination and bowel movements

๐ Alertness

๐ Sleeping patterns

Seek medical attention when the baby becomes increasingly yellow, unusually sleepy, difficult to wake, feeds poorly, or develops any other abnormal symptoms.

Parents should not wait too long to seek care and should not use unapproved treatments without medical advice.

Summary

Newborn jaundice is a common condition and is usually not severe. It results from bilirubin accumulating in the blood because the baby’s liver may not yet be working at full capacity during the first few days after birth.

However, very high bilirubin levels or jaundice accompanied by abnormal symptoms may be dangerous and require prompt medical care.

Postnatal assessment, monitoring of bilirubin levels, and care from a paediatrician can help keep the baby safe, reduce the risk of complications, and give parents greater confidence during this important stage of early life.

 

Reference :

Phyathai 2 Hospital newborn Jaundice Causes

ArokaGO Providers Phyathai 2 Hospital