What can cause Jaundice or increase the chances of Jaundice?
The most common type of jaundice is called Physiologic Jaundice, which can affect up to 60% of full term babies in the first week of life. It is caused by elevated bilirubin levels. Bilirubin is a substance created by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is processed and removed by the liver. Jaundice will develop when a baby’s liver is not efficient enough to remove the bilirubin from the bloodstream. Once the baby begins to mature and the red blood cell amounts diminish, the jaundice will subside with no lasting effects on the baby. This usually happens about 1-2 weeks after birth. There are other less common reasons that can cause jaundice to occur.
