Jaundice

Jaundice is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinaemia).

Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when red blood cells that carry oxygen round the body are broken down. The bilirubin will be carried in the bloodstream to the liver where the liver will excrete of it in faeces. However, in newborn babies their liver isn't fully developed yet, it may not be able to get rid of all the bilirubin and this causes a yellow colour to the babies skin called jaudice. The jaudnice should clear naturally by 2 weeks after birth however, bloods are taken regualrly to monitor the levels of bilirubin in…