Visual Assessment
According to KidsHealth.org, jaundice usually appears by the second or third day of an infant's life. It can first be spotted on the face or head. The jaundice will then spread down the body from the head. Initially, the infant will have yellowing of the face, then chest, stomach, and then the legs. In some cases, the whites of the eyes can become yellow. While the infant is in the hospital a visual assessment will easily be done by any health care provider checking on her. Unless the infant has some visual indication of jaundice, no further assessment will be performed. Infants who are discharged from the hospital before the second or third day should be assessed at a check-up with the pediatrician.
Jaundice is not usually a serious issue unless the infant has an underlying blood or liver condition. Early screening can ensure the infant gets treatment right away. An infant with specific complications like excessive bruising or bleeding under the scalp, may require more attention. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, unless the bilirubin levels are allowed to get extremely high, the damage from jaundice should be minimal.
Bilirubin Test
Once an infant shows signs of jaundice, an invasive method of testing will be conducted. This typically requires a small sample of blood that is analyzed by a laboratory technician. The bilirubin levels will be measured to determine the severity of the jaundice. Jaundice is caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood. According to the Mayo Clinic, this occurs because the baby's liver is too immature to get rid of the bilirubin quickly. In some cases there may be an underlying cause of jaundice. When a bilirubin test reveals mild to moderate jaundice, the infant may not receive any treatment. Moderate to severe jaundiced infants will receive light therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin or an exchange blood transfusion, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Light Meter
A less invasive skin test can be conducted to identify the level of jaundice in the infant. This is conducted with a light meter. According to the Mayo Clinic, the official name is a transcutaneous bilirubinometer. The medical care provider can scan the skin with the meter to measure the reflection from the skin of the light emitted from the bilirubinometer. This device is not as accurate in premature infants, according to Sydney South West Area Health Service. The reading of the meter will let the health care provider know the level of jaundice immediately.
