Jaundice and your newborn baby
Royal Hospital for Children for Patients, Carers & Visitors
Warning
Jaundice is the name given to yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes and is very common in newborn babies.
It is usually harmless and clears up in most babies in 10 to 14 days. A small number of babies may develop very high levels of jaundice which can be harmful if not treated.
There are two types of jaundice:
» Physiological which is caused by natural processes and is the most common
» Pathological which is caused by underlying conditions and is less common
This leaflet will give you more information about jaundice, how to check your baby for jaundice and what the treatment options are.
