Question
What to do if a child has jaundice?
Answer
Jaundice in the neonatal period can lead to brain damage, medically known as ‘bilirubin encephalopathy’; this may result in hearing loss, eye movement disorders, athetosis, enamel hypoplasia, and intellectual retardation, among other sequelae. It is one of the high-risk factors for the development of cerebral palsy. Early treatment can help minimize sequelae and improve future quality of life.