Jaundice Newborn Diagnosis and Evaluation

At Liv Hospital, advanced testing ensures accurate diagnosis of newborn jaundice.

From bilirubin testing to clinical exams, Liv Hospital offers advanced diagnostics for safe and timely jaundice evaluation.

We're Here to Help.
Get in Touch.

Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.

Jaundice Newborn Diagnosis and Evaluation

How Is Newborn Jaundice Evaluated and Monitored at Liv Hospital?

The diagnostic process for jaundice in newborns is a critical safety net in neonatal care. Because bilirubin levels can change rapidly in the first 100 hours of life, the evaluation must be both precise and frequent. The goal of diagnosis is threefold: to determine the exact concentration of bilirubin in the blood, to track the rate at which that level is rising, and to identify the underlying cause of the jaundice.

At Liv Hospital, every newborn undergoes a standardized bilirubin screening protocol before discharge. We utilize a combination of clinical visual assessments, non-invasive technology, and precise laboratory analysis to ensure that no baby is at risk for complications.

Visual Clinical Assessment (The Kramer Scale)

Before any machines are used, clinicians perform a visual check. Jaundice usually progresses from the head downward. Doctors use the Kramer Scale to estimate the bilirubin level based on how far down the body the yellowing has reached.
While helpful, visual assessment alone is not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis, especially in infants with darker skin tones or those under artificial lights.

Transcutaneous Bilirubinometry (TcB)

This is a modern, non-invasive screening tool. A device called a bilimeter is placed gently against the baby’s forehead or chest. It uses light waves to measure the intensity of the yellow pigment in the skin tissue.

The Benefit: It provides an instant reading and reduces the need for painful needle sticks (heel pricks). If the TcB reading is high, a formal blood test is then ordered.

Total Serum Bilirubin (TSB) Test

The TSB is the “gold standard” for diagnosis. A small amount of blood is taken via a heel prick to measure the exact amount of bilirubin in the plasma.

Direct vs. Indirect: The lab measures “Unconjugated” (indirect) bilirubin, which is the type that can be toxic to the brain, and “Conjugated” (direct) bilirubin, which can indicate liver or gallbladder issues if elevated.

The Nomogram Analysis (Hour-Specific Risk)

A bilirubin level of 10 mg/dL might be normal for a 3-day-old baby but dangerously high for a 12-hour-old baby.

The Tool: Doctors plot the TSB result on a Bhutani Nomogram, which accounts for the baby’s age in exact hours. This determines whether the baby is in a “low-risk,” “intermediate-risk,” or “high-risk” category.

Blood Type and Rh Factor Screening

If a baby develops jaundice within the first 24 hours, doctors immediately check the blood types of both mother and baby.

The Conflict: If the mother is Type O and the baby is Type A or B, or if the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive, the mother’s antibodies may be attacking the baby’s red blood cells, causing “hemolytic disease.”

Direct Antiglobulin Test (Coombs Test)

This specific blood test checks if the baby’s red blood cells have been coated with maternal antibodies.
A “Positive Coombs” test indicates that the red blood cells are being targeted for destruction, which explains a rapid rise in bilirubin.

Jaundice Newborn Diagnosis and Evaluation

We're Here to Help. Get in Touch.

Get an Online Consultation with Certified Doctors

Related Doctors

30 Years of Excellence

Trusted Worldwide

With patients from across the globe, we bring over three decades of medical

Reviews from 9,651

4,9

Worth a look

Was this article helpful?

Was this article helpful?

We're Here to Help. Get in Touch.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

RELATED VIDEOS

RELATED NEWS

What Is The Reason For Jaundice: Vital Liver Tips

Newborn Care: Finding a Doctor Late?

Newborn Bathing Frequency: Skin Safety

Holding Newborn Period: Myth or Fact?

Newborn Pediatrician Visit: 3 Day Rule

Kramer Rule Pediatrics: Jaundice Signs

ABOUT LIV

LIV ONLINE

Let's Talk on WhatsApp

How helpful was it?

We're Here to Help.
Get in Touch.

Get an Online Consultation with
Certified Doctors

30 Years of Excellence

We're Here to Help.
Get in Touch.