Jaundice is a medical condition that affects newborn babies, who have elevated levels of bilirubin in their blood.

Bilirubin is produced during the process of replacement of red blood cells inside the body. Bilirubin is typically broken down and taken out of the body by the liver. The presence of excessive bilirubin levels may result in the development of jaundice, and the skin and eyes of the baby will start to become yellowish. The National Institute of Health (NIH) revealed that jaundice can lead to severe medical conditions if left untreated.

The Development of Jaundice

The majority of jaundice cases are not dangerous since the condition can improve within days after birth. However, the NIH has indicated that the development of jaundice requires close monitoring as soon as it is diagnosed. This can be done through an evaluation of the skin or testing the blood for bilirubin. Once the evaluation gives an indication of an increasing level of bilirubin, it is essential to deal with the condition before the baby is allowed to go home. Regular bowel movements should be encouraged since it can remove excess bilirubin from the body.

Treatment of Jaundice

Light therapy treatment can be helpful in dealing with high bilirubin levels. The baby is made to wear eye protection and a diaper and is exposed to blue light. Bilirubin inside the blood is dissolved by the blue light. When the baby is discharged from the hospital, a light therapy blanket may be given to the parents. Home therapies may include the following:

A nurse can monitor bilirubin levels every day.
The skin of the baby should be exposed to a light source most of the time.
The baby should be fed at least thirteen times each day.
A daily record of the number of dirty and wet diapers should be made.

Jaundice Leading to Serious Injury

While there are a number of treatments available to successfully manage the bilirubin levels, misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment may result in serious injuries. A doctor may be liable for medical negligence if precautionary measures and treatment are not provided. If the baby is discharged before jaundice is diagnosed, the pediatrician should deal with any jaundice issues during the first visit. In rare cases, jaundice may lead to the following:

brain damage
cerebral palsy
deafness

Parents of infants who have suffered serious injury due to the mismanagement of jaundice should consult an experienced St. Louis birth injury lawyer to safeguard their rights.