Jaundice is a medical condition that causes a yellow tint to the skin and eyes. It happens when bilirubin, a yellow substance produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells, builds up in the bloodstream faster than the body can remove it. Although jaundice can affect adults, it is especially common in newborns during the first few days of life.
In many cases, newborn jaundice is mild and goes away with careful monitoring or simple treatment. But when jaundice is left untreated, the consequences can be severe. If medical providers fail to recognize or respond to dangerous bilirubin levels, a child can suffer serious and lasting harm.
For families, learning more about untreated jaundice can make it easier to understand both the medical risks and when those risks may have been preventable.
Overview of Jaundice
Jaundice develops when bilirubin builds up in the body. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin and helps remove it through waste. In newborns, however, the liver is still developing and may not be able to clear bilirubin as efficiently as it should.
That buildup is called hyperbilirubinemia, which is the medical term for elevated bilirubin levels in the blood.
Jaundice often causes:
- Yellowing of the skin
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
- Dark urine
- Pale-colored stools
In newborns, the yellow tint often begins in the face and can move downward to the chest, stomach, and legs as bilirubin levels rise.
Many cases are temporary and treatable. Still, when bilirubin reaches dangerous levels and treatment is delayed, it can cause damage to the brain and nervous system.
Signs and Symptoms of Severe Jaundice
Parents are often the first to notice that something does not seem right. Mild jaundice may only cause some yellowing of the skin, but severe jaundice can involve more serious symptoms.
Warning signs may include:
- Yellowing that becomes more noticeable over time
- Yellow discoloration spreading to the arms, legs, or abdomen
- Unusual sleepiness or trouble waking the baby
- Difficulty feeding
- High-pitched crying
- Limpness
- Unusual stiffness
- Arching of the back or neck
A baby showing these symptoms may need immediate medical attention. Bilirubin levels can rise quickly, and prompt treatment can make a major difference.
What Happens if Jaundice Goes Untreated?
Complications of untreated jaundice may include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Hearing loss
- Vision problems
- Developmental delays
- Learning difficulties
- Dental problems
- Trouble with coordination and movement
These injuries can affect nearly every part of a child’s life. Some children may need lifelong therapy, medical care, and support.
What Causes Dangerous Bilirubin Levels?
Some newborns face a higher risk of severe jaundice than others.
Common risk factors include:
- Premature birth
- Blood type incompatibility between mother and baby
- Bruising during delivery
- Infection
- Genetic conditions affecting red blood cells
- Liver problems
- Inadequate feeding after birth
Hospitals often screen newborns for jaundice before discharge. If bilirubin levels are high or continue to rise, doctors may recommend additional testing, closer follow-up, or treatment.
When these risks are not taken seriously, bilirubin may climb to a dangerous level before a family realizes anything is wrong.
How Is Jaundice Treated?
Jaundice is often very treatable when it is caught early.
Common treatment options include:
Phototherapy
Phototherapy uses special blue-spectrum lights to help break down bilirubin in the skin. This makes it easier for the body to remove it. Babies may receive phototherapy in the hospital or, in some situations, at home.
Improved Feeding
Frequent feeding can help a baby pass bilirubin through urine and stool. A doctor may suggest more frequent breastfeeding or formula supplementation when needed.
Exchange Transfusion
In the most serious cases, an exchange transfusion may be necessary. This procedure replaces the baby’s blood with donor blood to quickly reduce bilirubin levels.
When doctors respond promptly, these treatments are often effective and can prevent long-term complications.
When Can Jaundice Lead to a Birth Injury Claim?
Medical providers are expected to monitor newborns for signs of dangerous bilirubin levels. When they fail to identify or treat worsening jaundice, the harm that follows may have been avoidable.
Possible medical mistakes may include:
- Failing to test bilirubin levels
- Missing signs of worsening jaundice
- Sending a newborn home without proper monitoring
- Delaying phototherapy or other treatment
- Failing to arrange appropriate follow-up care
For families, these situations can be overwhelming. A birth injury claim may help uncover what happened and whether the accepted standard of care was followed.
Call Georgia Baby Safety Today for a Free Consultation With an Atlanta Birth Injury Lawyer
Untreated jaundice can leave families facing heartbreaking and permanent consequences. When a medical provider fails to recognize or respond to dangerous bilirubin levels, a child may suffer injuries that require extensive care for years to come.
If your child was harmed because jaundice was not properly diagnosed or treated, you may have options. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, long-term care, and other related losses.
Call Georgia Baby Safety today at 404-995-6033 for a free consultation with an Atlanta birth injury lawyer.