Dr. Allen Cherer explores neonatal jaundice.

1. Neonatal
Jaundice
Dr. Allen Cherer

2. NEONATAL JAUNDICE IS CAUSED BY
UNCONJUGATED BILIRUBIN IN A NEWBORN’S
BODY. IT’S PRESENTLY THE MOST COMMON
CONDITION THAT REQUIRES MEDICAL
ATTENTION OR HOSPITAL READMISSION FOR
NEWBORNS.
THIS CONDITION CAN HAVE DIRE
CONSEQUENCES, SO EARLY DETECTION AND
TREATMENT IS CRUCIAL.

3. - YELLOW SCLERA (WHITE PART OF THE EYES)
- YELLOW SKIN, ESPECIALLY THE ABDOMEN AND LIMBS
- BABY IS HARD TO AWAKEN OR LETHARGIC
- BABY IS NOT GAINING WEIGHT
Symptoms of Jaundice
If these symptoms appear after a child has been sent home
from the hospital, it may be advisable to bring them back in for
medical treatment.

4. - BLOOD INFECTION (SEPSIS)
- VIRAL OR BACTERIAL INFECTION
- MALFUNCTION OF THE LIVER
- DEFICIENT ENZYMES
- INTERNAL BLEEDING
- ABNORMAL RED BLOOD CELLS
Causes of Jaundice
If symptoms of jaundice appear, the child will need to be checked
for underlying causes to form a treatment plan.

5. - BRUISING DURING BIRTH
- MOTHER AND CHILD’S BLOOD TYPES ARE
DIFFERENT
- BIRTH BEFORE 38 WEEKS
- BREASTFEEDING DIFFICULTIES
Risk Factors
If a child has these risk factors, their parents and medical team
will need to monitor them.

6. - LIGHT THERAPY
- INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN
- EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION
Treatment Methods
These methods focus on diluting pathogenic antibodies in the child’s blood
that cause jaundice or, in the case of light therapy, help the child’s body to
more easily break down and excrete the excess bilirubin.