Jaundiced Newborn

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Definition

• The skin and whites of the eyes are yellow.

Types of Jaundice

Physiological jaundice (50% of newborns)  

• Onset 2 to 3 days of age
• Peaks day 4 to 5, then improves
• Disappears 1 to 2 weeks of age

Rh and ABO blood group incompatibility

• Onset during first 24 hours of life
• Can reach harmful levels

Breastfeeding jaundice

• (5 to 10% of newborns)
• Due to inadequate intake of breastmilk
• Pattern similar to physiological type

Breast-milk jaundice (1% of newborns)

• Due to substance in breastmilk which blocks destruction of bilirubin
• Onset 4 to 7 days of age
• Lasts 3 to 10 weeks
• Not harmful