39 recycles this after processing and eliminates it in the urine and stool. If there is excessive breakdown of the red blood cells, as is normal in the newborn period, this pigment gets deposited in the skin and mucous membranes and presents as jaundice. The appearance of jaundice could also mean that the liver is not processing the bilirubin normally. By early and adequate breastfeeding, it may be possible to reduce the effects of jaundice. Is jaundice harmful to my newborn? Most babies develop jaundice during the first 3-5 days after birth; this is usually mild and reduces over the next 4-5 days without any treatment. However, the bilirubin level may be very high sometimes, and the baby appears extremely yellow. The baby may not be adequately active and will pass very dark-colored urine. This is harmful, as it can affect the baby's brain and result in deafness, seizures, and brain damage. However, it is not very common unless there is some underlying disorder. How is the extent of jaundice diagnosed? Jaundice is diagnosed by measuring the level of bilirubin in the blood. A blood sample is collected from the baby and tested in the laboratory. The level can also be tested using an instrument placed over the baby's forehead, which reads the amount of bilirubin in the body. This level is then plotted on a
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