1.4.2 If the jaundice is physiological then why should I worry about moderate jaundice or severe jaundice?

If the jaundice is moderate or severe, it is not physiological. It is due to some other reason although at times we cannot find out the reason even after doing all the investigations. Anyway, if jaundice is moderate or severe, then the baby needs investigation and treatment. In such a case, your doctor will ask for a blood test to detect the percentage of bilirubin in the blood. Usually if the bilirubin exceeds 15mg% in the blood, baby is given phototherapy in a hospital and if it exceeds 20mg% then exchange transfusion is done (i.e. baby’s blood is exchanged with compatible adult blood slowly, 10- 20ml at a time). Fortunately with proper preventive measures and early phototherapy (keeping the baby under many tube lights), it is very rare that we have to do exchange transfusion nowadays.

So if you detect mild jaundice in your baby do not worry, however if you think it is more than mild or if you have any doubt, do contact your doctor, because very severe jaundice can cause brain damage.