Although jaundice in adults may be a warning sign of a more serious condition, it is very common and frequently harmless in infants. Jaundice often develops in the first few days after birth. It is generally first visible in the face and gradually progresses over the chest, arms and, eventually, legs.

The newborn liver is often not mature enough to handle the processing of bilirubin. Because the liver is overwhelmed, bilirubin is not removed from the bloodstream fast enough and is deposited in the tissues of the body. Also, the breakdown of red blood cells tends to occur more rapidly in newborns. In some cases, the infant is bruised during childbirth or has a blood type that is incompatible with that of the mother. This causes the rapid breakdown of red blood cells to increase even more, further overwhelming the liver.

In most cases, infant jaundice causes no harm and goes away in a week or two. However, the symptom must be monitored because on rare occasions high levels of bilirubin can cause serious complications. One serious complication called kernicterus occurs when extremely high levels of bilirubin cause brain damage. Kernicterus may result in a number of problems, including deafness, severe developmental disabilities and one form of cerebral palsy.

An infant’s bilirubin levels may be measured through blood tests or with a bilirubinometer. This is a device that measures bilirubin levels through the skin using a special light without the need of a blood sample.

Physicians generally recommend that infants with jaundice receive frequent feedings. This provides them with plenty of calories and encourages more bowel movements, which help to reduce bilirubin levels. Mothers who breastfeed may be directed to temporarily supplement or replace breast milk with formula for a few days. This may help lower bilirubin levels quickly. Breastfeeding can be resumed after the jaundice has been treated.

Phototherapy (light therapy) may also help. This uses special ultraviolet light to change bilirubin into a form that is easier for the infant’s body to expel. In some cases, a fiber-optic blanket of light may be used to administer this treatment. Recent research indicates that infants who receive phototherapy for jaundice may be more likely to develop moles and skin cancer later in life. Therefore, infants who receive this therapy may benefit from continued monitoring for skin conditions.

Severe jaundice, particularly when due to incompatibility between the mother and infant’s blood, may require blood transfusions.

Because elevated bilirubin levels can cause brain damage, there has been some concern that infants who receive treatment for jaundice could sustain lasting neurological damage. However, recent research indicates that this is not the case.