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Jaundice in newborn babies usually goes away in a week or two without any treatment. Your baby's doctor will make sure the bilirubin in your baby's blood doesn't get too high.

Bilirubin is made when the body breaks down red blood cells that aren't needed any more. Usually the liver gets rid of bilirubin. But newborn babies may not be able to do this very well. Instead the bilirubin builds up, causing jaundice.

If your baby's jaundice is not too bad, they may not need any treatment.¹ But if your baby's bilirubin builds up, there are simple treatments that can prevent serious problems from happening.^{2 3} Jaundice can lead to a problem called kernicterus. This happens rarely, but it can affect your baby's brain. It can lead to hearing loss, learning difficulties, and late development.³

It can be hard to tell if your baby has severe jaundice. So you should tell your doctor right away if your baby has a yellow tinge to their skin or the whites of their eyes or inside their mouth, and:³

• Is feeding less well than normal
• Seems less alert and harder to wake
• Has a high-pitched cry
• Seems limp.

If your baby's doctor thinks the bilirubin in your baby's blood may be building up, they will do a blood test. Some babies may need to have the jaundice treated to bring the bilirubin level back to normal.^{2 4}

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.