Jaundice – Medically known as Hyperbilirubinemia is a very common condition affecting up to 60% of newborns. It is the presence of higher than normal levels of bilirubin in the blood and skin giving the skin and eyes a yellow tint.

Babies born before 38 weeks are at an especially high risk for developing jaundice. In infants jaundice is most commonly caused by a premature liver that has not yet developed and cannot break down/remove bilirubin from the baby’s body.

In some cases if the bilirubin level is too high there can be neurological damage and impairment. Screening newborns for bilirubin is a priority to early intervention and preventing complications.

The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends using a valid testing modality to screen your child for bilirubin. Diagnosing or ruling out Hyper Bilirubin requires a clinical examination by a physician and blood test or a transcutaneous Bilirubin test to determine if the child has jaundice.

At times milder cases of elevated bilirubin may not be visible during plain examination, and if suspected additional testing may be required to monitor levels and make sure they are within a safe range.

Both methods of screening bilirubin are very effective and recommended by the Canadian Pediatric Society. Lab testing for bilirubin involves a blood draw to measure the amount of bilirubin in the infant’s blood. Transcutaneous measurement involves touching a small device that uses a special light to the forehead or sternum in the baby to also measure the amount of bilirubin.