Jaundice (newborn) Treatment

Last Updated: October 31, 2026

Lifestyle Modifications

To promote bilirubin excretion and ensure adequate hydration and nutrition for the baby.

Encourage frequent and regular feeding, aiming for 8 to 12 times a day, to help excrete bilirubin through urine and stool.
Gently wake your baby for feeds if they are sleepy, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition and hydration.
Seek advice from a midwife, pediatrician, or lactation consultant if you are experiencing difficulties with feeding or are concerned about your baby's intake.

ConsultPediatricianLactation ConsultantMidwife

Medicinal Treatment

To effectively reduce bilirubin levels and prevent potential complications such as kernicterus.

Phototherapy: Involves shining a special light on the baby's skin to convert bilirubin into a form that can be easily excreted.· Typically administered in a hospital cot for approximately 48 hours.· May sometimes be provided with home equipment for milder cases under medical supervision.
Blood Transfusion: Rarely required for very severe cases where bilirubin levels are dangerously high and other treatments are insufficient.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG): In specific rare cases, such as Rh or ABO incompatibility, IVIG may be administered to reduce the need for exchange transfusion.

ConsultNeonatologistPediatrician

Surgical Treatment

To address rare underlying structural causes of severe jaundice that impede bilirubin excretion.

Generally not a primary treatment for common physiological newborn jaundice.
Surgical intervention is considered only in extremely rare cases where severe jaundice is caused by underlying structural issues, such as biliary atresia, which obstructs bile flow.
Specific surgical procedures, like the Kasai procedure for biliary atresia, would address the root cause of the structural issue, rather than directly treating the bilirubin itself.

ConsultPediatric SurgeonNeonatologist

Specialists

PediatricianLactation ConsultantMidwifeNeonatologistPediatric Surgeon

About This Disease

Learn about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of Jaundice (newborn) Treatment.

Know more about Jaundice (newborn) Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

To promote bilirubin excretion and ensure adequate hydration and nutrition for the baby.

Encourage frequent and regular feeding, aiming for 8 to 12 times a day, to help excrete bilirubin through urine and stool.

Gently wake your baby for feeds if they are sleepy, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition and hydration.

Seek advice from a midwife, pediatrician, or lactation consultant if you are experiencing difficulties with feeding or are concerned about your baby's intake.

ConsultPediatricianLactation ConsultantMidwife

Medicinal Treatment

To effectively reduce bilirubin levels and prevent potential complications such as kernicterus.

Phototherapy: Involves shining a special light on the baby's skin to convert bilirubin into a form that can be easily excreted.· Typically administered in a hospital cot for approximately 48 hours.· May sometimes be provided with home equipment for milder cases under medical supervision.

Blood Transfusion: Rarely required for very severe cases where bilirubin levels are dangerously high and other treatments are insufficient.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG): In specific rare cases, such as Rh or ABO incompatibility, IVIG may be administered to reduce the need for exchange transfusion.

ConsultNeonatologistPediatrician

Surgical Treatment

To address rare underlying structural causes of severe jaundice that impede bilirubin excretion.

Generally not a primary treatment for common physiological newborn jaundice.

Surgical intervention is considered only in extremely rare cases where severe jaundice is caused by underlying structural issues, such as biliary atresia, which obstructs bile flow.

Specific surgical procedures, like the Kasai procedure for biliary atresia, would address the root cause of the structural issue, rather than directly treating the bilirubin itself.

ConsultPediatric SurgeonNeonatologist

Jaundice (newborn) Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

Medicinal Treatment

Surgical Treatment

Contents

Specialists

About This Disease

Jaundice (newborn) Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

Medicinal Treatment

Surgical Treatment

Contents

Specialists

About This Disease