Our 3-day-old baby boy has developed jaundice. The doctor told us it was "physiological jaundice" and not to worry. I have heard that jaundice can be dangerous to babies. Can you he;p me?
You are right that severe jaundice can damage a baby's brain in the first week or so of life. About 40% of babies develop mild jaundice in the first few days of life. If the level is low, no risk occurs. Your doctor will (or has) measure the level to be sure that there is no danger.
The reason "physiological jaundice" happens is that the fetus in the womb needs more hemoglobin (the red pigment in blood)to carry enough oxygen than it does after being born. The bay's body breaks down the unnecessary hemoglobin which makes a yellow pigment known as bilirubin. Bilirubin is the cause of the jaundice and will go away after a few days in "physiological jaundice". If the breakdown of hemoglobin is excessive (due to a number of rare diseases that can affect babies) then severe jaundice occurs which can damage the immature newborn's brain. There are a number of treatments used if this seems likely to happen. Older children and adults may also become jaundiced but their mature brains are not damaged by it.
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