Yellow skin and eyes; Skin - yellow; Icterus; Eyes - yellow; Jaundice
The cause of jaundice must be determined before treatment can be given. Follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.
ALL jaundice in an infant, child, or adult should be medically evaluated. ALWAYS call your doctor if jaundice is present.
The health care provider will perform a physical examination. To help diagnose the cause of yellow skin, your health care provider will ask medical history questions, such as:
Feed babies frequently and don't let them become dehydrated.
With jaundice, the important thing to prevent is kernicterus -- toxic levels of bilirubin accumulating in the brain. Early identification and treatment of jaundice will usually prevent kernicterus, whatever the cause.
Beyond this, jaundice is a symptom of other problems that have their own prevention strategies.
American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia. Neonatal jaundice and kernicterus. Pediatrics. 2001; 108(3): 763-765.
Berk PD, Korenblat KM. Approach to the Patient with Jaundice or Abnormal Liver Test Results. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: Chap 150.
Boamah L, Balistreri WF. Manifestations of Liver Disease. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. Chap 352.
Moerschel SK. A Practical Approach to Neonatal Jaundice. Am Fam Physician. 2008; 77(9); 1255-1262.
Moyer V, Freese DK, Whitington PF, Olson AD, Brewer F, Colletti RB, Heyman MB. Guideline for the evaluation of cholestatic jaundice in infants: recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004 Aug;39(2):115-28.
Piazza AJ, Stoll BJ. Digestive System Disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: Chap 102
This article uses information by permission from Alan Greene, M.D., © Greene Ink, Inc.