Prolonged neonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice refers to a yellowing of the skin and other tissues of a newborn infant as a result of increased concentrations of bilirubin in the blood. Neonatal jaundice affects over half of all newborns to some extent in the first week of life. Prolonged neonatal jaundice is said to be present if the jaundice persists for longer than 14 days in term infants and 21 days in preterm infants.
Also called: Neonatal jaundice, Prolonged yellowing of skin in newborn, Jaundice, neonatal.
Conditions associated with prolonged neonatal jaundice
The following conditions have been associated with prolonged neonatal jaundice in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Aicardi-Goutières syndrome
Aicardi-Goutières syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Athyreosis
Athyreosis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Hardikar syndrome
Hardikar syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Houge-Janssens syndrome 4
Houge-Janssens syndrome 4 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Isolated thyroid-stimulating hormone deficiency
Isolated thyroid-stimulating hormone deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with various sym...
Melnick-Needles syndrome
A otopalatodigital syndrome spectrum disorder and is associated with a short stature, facial dysmorphism, osse...
Menkes disease
Menkes disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Sotos syndrome
Sotos syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Sotos syndrome
Sotos syndrome is a rare multisystemic genetic disorder characterized by a typical facial appearance, overgrow...
biliary, renal, neurologic, and skeletal syndrome
biliary, renal, neurologic, and skeletal syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various s...
cerebral arteriopathy, autosomal recessive, with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy 1
cerebral arteriopathy, autosomal recessive, with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy 1 is a medical c...
choanal atresia-athelia-hypothyroidism-delayed puberty-short stature syndrome
Choanal atresia-athelia-hypothyroidism-delayed puberty-short stature syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorde...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 118
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 118 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type I
A microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism that has material basis in homozygous or compound heterozy...
mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome 6 (hepatocerebral type)
mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome 6 (hepatocerebral type) is a medical condition that may be associated wit...
neurodevelopmental disorder with variable familial hypercholanemia
neurodevelopmental disorder with variable familial hypercholanemia is a medical condition that may be associat...
neurologic, endocrine, and pancreatic disease, multisystem, infantile-onset 2
neurologic, endocrine, and pancreatic disease, multisystem, infantile-onset 2 is a medical condition that may ...
osteootohepatoenteric syndrome
osteootohepatoenteric syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
peroxisome biogenesis disorder 1A (Zellweger)
peroxisome biogenesis disorder 1A (Zellweger) is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympt...
triosephosphate isomerase deficiency
Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) deficiency is a severe autosomal recessive inherited multisystem disorder of g...
Tests providers may use to investigate prolonged neonatal jaundice
When investigating prolonged neonatal jaundice, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Folate
Measures folate levels to help evaluate anemia and pregnancy health....
Free T4
Measures the active form of thyroxine to help evaluate thyroid function....
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Screens for thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism....
Urinalysis
Examines urine content to help detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes....
Vitamin B12
Detects B12 deficiency which can cause anemia and neurological symptoms....
Symptoms commonly seen alongside prolonged neonatal jaundice
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing....
Fatigue
A subjective feeling of tiredness characterized by a lack of energy and motivation....
Fever
Body temperature elevated above the normal range....
Headache
Cephalgia, or pain sensed in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve....
Muscle weakness
Reduced strength of muscles....
Seizure
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence ...
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if prolonged neonatal jaundice is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom prolonged neonatal jaundice mean?
Prolonged neonatal jaundice is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. Neonatal jaundice refers to a yellowing of the skin and other tissues of a newborn infant as a result of increased concentrations of bilirubin in the blood. Neonatal jaundice affects over half of all newborns to some extent in the first week of life. Prolonged neonatal jaundice is said to be present if the jaundice persists for longer than 14 days in term infants and 21 days in preterm infants.
Which conditions are associated with prolonged neonatal jaundice?
Prolonged neonatal jaundice has been reported in association with 20 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, Athyreosis, Hardikar syndrome, Houge-Janssens syndrome 4, Isolated thyroid-stimulating hormone deficiency. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about prolonged neonatal jaundice?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.