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What Are the Causes of Jaundice in Neonates?

Newborn jaundice, or neonatal jaundice, is a condition that is actually quite common among newborn babies and frequently requires no treatment whatsoever. If treatment is needed, it is typically non-invasive and quite effective. Approximately 60 percent of newborns have jaundice.

  1. Most common cause

    • The usual cause for newborn or neonatal jaundice is due to the liver being immature and not able to break down bilirubin, the yellow-colored waste product from red blood cells. Premature infants are especially vulnerable to developing jaundice.

    Blood incompatibility

    • Another cause of newborn jaundice is when there the mother and child's blood types are incompatible such as when the mother is Rh negative and the child is Rh positive.

    Infections

    • Various viral or bacterial infections can also cause jaundice in newborns. Certain anemias or blood diseases can also cause jaundice.

    Difficult delivery

    • A child who suffers significant bruising during birth, or who has internal bleeding, may also develop newborn jaundice.

    Less likely causes

    • There are some diseases and conditions which may cause newborn or neonatal jaundice, such as Niemann-Pick disease,cystic fibrosis or hypothyroidism among others. However, it is rare that a serious illness or disease is the culprit for the common malady of newborn jaundice.

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