Philadelphia Jaundice Lawyers

In newborns, jaundice is a condition that is indicated by high levels of bilirubin in the blood, which causes an affected baby's skin and the whites of their eyes (sclera) to look yellow-colored. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that the body creates during the normal recycling of aged red blood cells, and is broken down by the liver in order for it to be removed via stool from the body.

Before a baby is born, the placenta, which nourishes the developing fetus, removes the infant's bilirubin for the mother's liver to process. After birth, the baby's liver starts to process the bilirubin, but it can take a little while, which can result in an infant's bilirubin levels being higher than normal after birth. In most newborn babies, to some degree, jaundice is present, and is often referred to as "physiological jaundice." Typically, the condition appears between the second and third day following birth, peaks between the second and fourth day following birth, and clears by two weeks following birth. In most cases, this type of jaundice does not result in any permanent problems.

Causes of Jaundice

Infants born prematurely are more likely to develop jaundice than babies that reach full-term. There are also certain conditions that can increase the amount of red blood cells that need to be broken down by the liver, and may cause a newborn to suffer a more severe type of jaundice. These conditions include the following:

• Mismatch of blood types between the baby and the mother
• Lack of certain enzymes
• Infections
• Cephalohematoma, which is bleeding underneath the infant's scalp that is caused by a difficult delivery
• Blood cell shapes that are abnormal
• Abnormally high levels of red blood cells

Other conditions may exist that can make it more difficult for an infant's body to remove bilirubin, and can result in a more severe type of jaundice. These conditions include hypoxia; diseases that affect the biliary tract or liver, such as hepatitis or cystic fibrosis; certain medications; and other various genetic or inherited disorders.

Symptoms of Jaundice

The yellowing of the skin is the main symptom of jaundice. The yellowed-color can be seen best immediately after pressing a finger gently onto a baby's skin. Often, the color starts on an infant's face and then progresses down to the chest, belly, legs, and feet soles.

In some cases, babies that have significant jaundice suffer from extreme tiredness and may have difficulty feeding.

Testing for Jaundice

It is crucial for all healthcare professionals as well as family members to be on alert for indicators of jaundice while a newborn baby is at the hospital, as well as when they are initially sent home. If it is suspected that an infant has jaundice, their bilirubin levels should be measured by a blood test immediately. High levels of bilirubin may damage a baby's brain. Other serious, but rare, complications from high levels of bilirubin include cerebral palsy and deafness.

When a baby is about 24 hours old, many hospitals check their bilirubin levels, often by using a probe that can estimate the level by touching an infant's skin. However, high readings of bilirubin will need to be confirmed by a blood test. Other tests that can be done to check for jaundice include a complete blood count (CBC) test, Coomb's test, and reticulocyte count. For infants who need treatment for the condition, and/or for babies whose levels of bilirubin are increasing faster than anticipated, additional testing may need to be conducted.

If your newborn was born with jaundice, and your healthcare provider did not conduct adequate testing for the condition or misread testing results, contact the Philadelphia pediatric malpractice lawyers at Anapol Schwartz. Our attorneys can explain your legal rights to you and help you understand what legal options are available to your family in order to receive compensation for your child's suffering. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call 866-735-2792 today.

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