Neonatal Jaundice

Abstract Almost two thirds of newborn experience jaundice in the first week of life. Untreated high bilirubin levels which are not diagnosed timely may lead to bilirubin encephalopathy and severe neurologic sequaela. Pathologic jaundice is defined as a bilirubin level above the 95th percentile in infants larger than 35 gestational weeks. Main goal oftreatment in these infants is to prevent severe hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin encephalopathy. Sufficient and successful breastfeeding is essential. Parents should be informed about appropriate feeding methods and about jaundice. Bilirubin levels are evaluated by the bilirubin nomogram according to the age of the infant. Direct hyperbilirubi-nemia in the newborn period is always pathologic. In every clinical visit after discharge from the hospital, the weight of the infant, percentage of weight loss, nutritional status, frequency, color and amount of urine and stools and presence of jaundice should beinvestigated. Prolonged jaundice is defined as jaundice persisting longer than 2 weeksin term infants and longer than 3 weeks in preterm infants. Breast feeding jaundice should be a consideration. Phototherapy is the method of treatment in most case