Guideline
Jaundice in newborn babies under 28 days
- Anaemia and transfusion
- Communicating with families
- Jaundice and haematology
- Jaundice and phototherapy
- Medical
- Newborn examination
- Nursing
- Postnatal and transitional care
Summary
This NICE clinical guideline (CG98) covers the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of jaundice in babies under 28 days, aiming to detect or prevent very high bilirubin levels. It addresses information for parents, measuring and monitoring bilirubin, thresholds for phototherapy, assessment for underlying disease, prolonged jaundice, and use of intravenous immunoglobulin and exchange transfusion. The October 2023 update highlights that skin colour changes may be harder to see in darker skin and limits urine culture in prolonged jaundice to suspected urinary tract infection. It also notes variability between bilirubin assays, advising consultation with local laboratories when interpreting threshold tables.
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Guidelines are shown for education. Follow your unit's own guidance and senior advice.