What it means
A newborn breaks down extra red blood cells after birth, while the young liver processes bilirubinbil-ih-ROO-binA yellow pigment made when old red blood cells break down, which the liver clears into bile.Full entry slowly, so bilirubin builds up for a while. Physiologic jaundice appears after the first 24 hours, peaks around days 3 to 5 and fades within one to two weeks. jaundiceJAWN-disYellow color of the skin, the whites of the eyes and other tissues from too much bilirubin in the blood.Full entry in the first 24 hours, or a level that rises fast or gets very high, is not physiologic and needs prompt care.
For the nurse
Encourage feeding 8 to 12 times a day, since stooling removes bilirubin. Check the skin in daylight by pressing gently over the nose or chest, and follow bilirubin levels as ordered. For a baby under phototherapyfoh-toh-THAIR-uh-peeTreatment with light, most often special blue light on a newborn's skin to lower the bilirubin level.phot/o light-therapy treatmentFull entry , cover the eyes, expose as much skin as possible, and watch temperature and hydration.
Related terms
jaundice
Yellow color of the skin, the whites of the eyes and other tissues from too much bilirubin in the blood.
bilirubin
A yellow pigment made when old red blood cells break down, which the liver clears into bile.
phototherapy
Treatment with light, most often special blue light on a newborn's skin to lower the bilirubin level.
cephalohematoma
A collection of blood between a newborn's skull bone and the thin covering over it.