Why is the stool and urine colour important?
Normal baby jaundice is caused by a build-up of unconjugated bilirubin. When red blood cells are broken down unconjugated bilirubin is made. The liver processes the unconjugated bilirubin by adding a “sugar” which changes the bilirubin to conjugated bilirubin. Babies with liver disease can also have jaundice. This jaundice, however, is caused by a build-up of conjugated bilirubin. The conjugated bilirubin is picked up by the blood and is passed around the body causing jaundice. It also causes the urine to be yellow as the kidneys try to get rid of the conjugated bilirubin, which is water soluble. Yellow urine in a baby is not normal and the baby should be investigated for liver disease. That’s why it’s important to check the urine colour. The stool colour may also give an indication of liver disease. If there is a blockage or inflammation in the liver or the biliary drainage system it may prevent the bile from draining from the liver. This will mean that the stool will not be as colour
