Noticed Slight Yellow Color On The Baby's Body. Is This Harmful?

Posted on Fri, 23 Nov 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 Answered on

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : my 16 days old babys body has slight yellow. After the delivery the doctor give her thototherapy. At the time of dischargin from hospital the bilirubin rate was 8.1.
How can I find out now her liver is ok & yellow is going down

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (5 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The slight yellow tinge on the baby's body is harmless and this will take around 3-4 weeks to subside completely. After phototherapy, if the baby's bilirubin was 8.1 then it is likely to subside to near normal levels in 2-3 weeks. You can confirm this by getting her blood bilirubin levels assessment.
If the yellow discoloration has receded from her palms and soles then it is likely that she is recovering well. Please do not worry.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar