Any baby who appears clinically jaundiced after 2 weeks (term babies) or 3 weeks (pre term babies) should be referred for Paediatric assessment. Report of jaundice from parent/carer should be taken seriously.
Important things to consider include:
• Method of feeding, amounts taken (if formula/EBM fed)
• Weight – has baby regained birth weight, and is it plotted in the Red Book?
• Colour of stools and urine
• Is there a family background of G6PD deficiency? Or is the baby’s ethnic background high risk for G6PD (Mediterranean, Asian)?
• Please include the Mum’s blood group if it is known to you.
• General behaviour – is the baby waking for feeds, is the tone normal for age?
• Temperature instability – is there a recent background of high (>38oC) or low (<36oC) temperatures? This is a sign of sepsis and needs urgent referral.