NEONATAL JAUNDICE (JAUNDICE IN NEWBORN)

What is jaundice?

Increase in Bilirubin (yellow pigment) in blood beyond the normal range is defined as jaundice. Bilirubin is produced from breakdown of red blood cells. Before it is processed by the liver it is in indirect form. The rise of this form of bilirubin leads to Indirect jaundice. After processing into the liver it is converted to direct form which passes into the intestine through the bile duct. Bile duct is a tube like structure which connects the liver to small intestine. From intestine the direct bilirubin is absorbed into the blood and excreted by the kidneys. Any problem in the liver or bile duct can result into direct or cholestatic (absence of bile flow) jaundice.