Pediatric Hyperbilirubinemia (Jaundice)

Bilirubin is made naturally when the body breaks down old and worn out red blood cells. While still in the womb, the mother filters out bilirubin through the placenta. After birth, infants have to take care of it themselves.

What is Pediatric Hyperbilirubinemia (Jaundice)?

Hyperbilirubinemia is also known as jaundice. It a yellowish tint to your child’s skin and eyes. It is seen in approximately half of newborn babies, usually during the first 5 days of life. Most of the time it is mild and usually goes away within a week or so.

A small percentage (around 8% to 9%) of newborns will develop severe newborn jaundice. This is more concerning because it can lead to a kind of brain damage known as kernicterus if left untreated.

What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Hyperbilirubinemia (Jaundice)?

The symptom seen most often is a yellow tint to the skin or eyes. Your child may also be sluggish, cranky and jittery, have a high-pitched cry and may not suck well if you are breastfeeding.

Many times, the yellow tint may not appear until you and your child are already home. Although it is usually not an emergency, you should make arrangements to see your baby’s primary care doctor quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is hyperbilirubinemia?

    Hyperbilirubinemia is an excess buildup that occurs of a substance called bilirubin in the body. When bilirubin deposits build up in your baby's body your baby develops jaundice, a yellow color to the skin and the whites of the eyes.

  • How common is hyperbilirubinemia in infants?

    As many as 50 percent of all healthy newborns will develop jaundice caused by hyperbilirubinemia in the first few weeks after birth.

  • What are the causes of hyperbilirubinemia in infants?

    Hyperbilirubinemia is caused by the inadequate elimination of bilirubin, which is an end product in the lifecycle of a red blood cell.

  • What are the symptoms of hyperbilirubinemia in infants?

    Jaundice or yellow skin and yellowing of the whites of the eyes, bruising, weight loss.

  • How is hyperbilirubinemia diagnosed?

    Your doctor can diagnose hyperbilirubinemia by a physical exam, blood tests and sometimes, by X-rays.

  • What are the treatments for hyperbilirubinemia in infants?

    No treatment is needed for physiologic or mild hyperbilirubinemia. Increased feeding helps jaundice caused by inadequate feeding and dehydration. Doctors use a special type of blue light to treat for severe jaundice. This treatment helps prevent toxicity caused by very high levels of bilirubin. Your doctor might order blood transfusions or antibiotics to treat hemolytic disease illnesses that can cause jaundice.

  • What are some risk factors of hyperbilirubinemia in infants?

    Breastfed infants have a higher risk for developing hyperbilirubinemia. Newborns between two days and a few weeks old are most likely to develop jaundice. Infants who have blood-type incompatibility with their mother are more likely to develop hyperbilirubinemia and underlying hemolytic disease.