Jaundice is a condition that occurs when bilirubin, a yellow substance produced by the liver, accumulates within the body. Newborn infants with jaundice develop an unusual yellow discoloration of the skin and white of the eyes. Though mild, jaundice is common in newborn infants, certain factors can increase an infant's risk of developing jaundice.
Premature Birth
Infants who are born prematurely may have a more difficult time processing bilirubin in their bodies when compared to healthy, full-term babies, explains MayoClinic.com. Poor processing of bilirubin can cause this substance to accumulate within an infant's body, leading to jaundice symptoms.
Birth Trauma
Mild or serious trauma during an infant's birth can lead to bruising or skin damage, which can increase a baby's jaundice risk, explains Captain Meredith Porter with the Dewitt Army Community Hospital in a February 2002 article published in the journal "American Academy of Family Physicians." When birth trauma occurs, the infant's body produces more red blood cells to help heal the damaged cells or tissues. Elevated red blood cell levels result in higher levels of bilirubin in the blood. A newborn infant may be unable to effectively process these higher levels of bilirubin, consequently increasing a baby's risk of developing jaundice.
Blood Type Incompatibility
A baby born with a blood type that differs from his mothers may be at an increased risk of developing jaundice. Blood type incompatibility between an infant and mother may cause the mother's immune system to attack the baby's red blood cells, warns UpToDate, a peer-reviewed medical information website for patients. This occurs because the mother's immune system identifies the infant's red blood cells as foreign invaders that are dangerous or harmful to the mother. As a result, the infant's red blood cells may be damaged. Red blood cell damage can increase bilirubin levels in a baby's body, which can elevate his risk of developing jaundice.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can increase an infant's risk of developing two different types of jaundice: breast milk jaundice and breastfeeding jaundice, explains MedlinePlus, a health information website supported by the National Institutes of Health. Breast milk contains specific substances that can increase the amount of bilirubin in a baby's intestines. If this occurs, a baby who consumes breast milk can develop breast milk jaundice. Alternatively, infants who have difficulty breastfeeding or do not consume adequate levels of nutrients while breastfeeding, are at risk of developing breastfeeding jaundice.
Family History
An infant born to a family with a history of newborn jaundice is at an increased risk of developing this condition, explains MedlinePlus. Infants of East Asian ancestry are also more likely to develop jaundice than infants of other races.
Maternal Illness
A mother who has certain types of illnesses, such as diabetes or gestational diabetes, may be more likely to have a baby who develops jaundice, explains Dr. Moshe Ipp with the University of Toronto. Expectant mothers should be closely monitored by a physician throughout the pregnancy and delivery to ensure medical issues and illness are promptly detected and resolved.
