US Medical Term · maternity
Neonatal Jaundice
Ictericia neonatal
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Neonatal Jaundice |
| Spanish (Español) | Ictericia neonatal |
| Chinese (中文) | 新生兒黃疸 |
| Korean (한국어) | 신생아 황달 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Vàng da sơ sinh |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Neonatal jaundice |
| Portuguese (Português) | Icterícia neonatal |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ดีซ่านในทารกแรกเกิด |
| Japanese (日本語) | 新生児黄疸 |
What it means
Neonatal jaundice is a yellowing of a newborn's skin and eyes caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. It is very common, affecting more than half of all newborns. Mild jaundice usually appears 2 to 3 days after birth and resolves within 2 weeks with frequent feeding. More severe jaundice, or jaundice appearing within 24 hours of birth, needs treatment — usually phototherapy (placing the baby under special blue-spectrum lights). Untreated very high bilirubin levels can cause brain damage. Your baby's bilirubin level will be checked before discharge and possibly again at a follow-up visit.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My baby's skin looks yellow — how do I know if it's serious jaundice that needs treatment?
La piel de mi bebé se ve amarilla — ¿cómo sé si es ictericia grave que necesita tratamiento?
Will phototherapy for jaundice mean my baby has to stay in the hospital longer?
¿La fototerapia para la ictericia significará que mi bebé tendrá que quedarse más tiempo en el hospital?
Does breastfeeding affect my baby's jaundice levels?
¿La lactancia materna afecta los niveles de ictericia de mi bebé?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
P59 Neonatal jaundice from other and unspecified causesRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026