Do newborns with jaundice need to be fed water?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on May 29, 2025
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Neonatal jaundice does not require the feeding of water. Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the newborn period, especially in early newborns. It can be a symptom that appears during the normal development process of a newborn, or it can be an indication of certain diseases, with severe cases possibly leading to brain damage. Generally, about 80% of full-term infants can be observed to have jaundice with the naked eye. It is important for newborns with jaundice to differentiate between physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. If it is physiological jaundice, no intervention is needed. However, if it is pathological jaundice, it is necessary to investigate the related causes and then manage it timely. Sometimes parents might hear that good bowel and urinary functions might lessen jaundice, and this is true. If the child has fewer bowel movements and less urine, and if feeding is insufficient, the jaundice can worsen. Therefore, in newborns, especially early newborns, it is crucial to ensure adequate feeding. Generally, if the baby is breastfed, the water content in breast milk is usually sufficient, so there is no need to add extra water. Additionally, if breast milk is not sufficient, ensuring the baby’s nutrition is important, and supplementing with some formula may be appropriate. It is generally recommended to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months without adding any other special foods or medicines, unless there are special medical indications. Thus, neonatal jaundice does not require the feeding of water.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
53sec home-news-image

What does a newborn jaundice blood test check for?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the neonatal period. It may indicate both normal developmental processes and certain diseases. If it is normal physiological jaundice, there is no need for blood tests. However, if pathological jaundice is suspected, blood tests are generally required. The most common test is a liver function test to determine the level of bilirubin in the blood. Additional tests might be conducted, especially if there is an incompatibility in the blood type between the mother and child. In such cases, tests for the baby's blood type and hemolysis are necessary, along with tests for common infection markers. If the mother had other abnormalities before pregnancy, further blood tests might be warranted based on potential conditions that the baby might exhibit.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What should mothers not eat if their newborn has jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common symptoms during the neonatal period, especially in early neonates. Neonatal jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is due to the physiological characteristics of the child and is considered a normal phenomenon. Generally, the degree of jaundice is not very high, so there is no need for the family to worry too much as the jaundice will subside on its own. If it is pathological jaundice, where jaundice appears earlier, progresses faster, and is more severe, then intervention and treatment are needed. Generally, jaundice is not significantly related to the mother's diet. If the baby has jaundice, the mother should strengthen breastfeeding, encouraging the baby to eat, drink, and excrete more. Good bowel and bladder movements can help with the excretion of jaundice. Therefore, if the newborn has jaundice, the mother does not need to make special changes to her diet; she should just maintain a normal diet, enhance nutrition, and promote milk secretion.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 17sec home-news-image

neonatal jaundice standard values

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the neonatal period. It can be a normal physiological phenomenon or a manifestation of certain diseases. Jaundice is generally divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice does not appear very early, progresses slowly, lasts a short time, and is not very severe. Generally, for jaundice monitoring, it is recommended that newborns be closely monitored for changes in jaundice. Jaundice within 24 hours after birth generally does not exceed 6 milligrams per deciliter. From 24 to 48 hours, it generally does not exceed 9, and from 48 to 72 hours it does not exceed 12. After 72 hours, the jaundice level should not exceed 15. If monitoring shows that the jaundice level exceeds the normal range, it is advisable to go to the hospital promptly. The doctor will then determine the specifics of bilirubin levels in the blood. If bilirubin in the blood is indeed elevated, timely intervention and treatment are recommended.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What causes jaundice in newborns?

Neonatal jaundice is primarily due to the overproduction of bilirubin, which means a higher number of red blood cells are being destroyed, leading to an increased concentration of bilirubin in the blood. Additionally, there is a metabolic disorder of bilirubin in the child. The liver cells' ability to take up and bind bilirubin decreases, which can cause an increase in the concentration of unbound bilirubin in the serum, resulting in jaundice. This mainly occurs in cases of hypoxia, infection, and some congenital diseases, among others. Certain medications and reduced thyroid function can also present this symptom. The third issue is an impairment in the bile's ability to excrete bilirubin, which can occur when the child has neonatal hepatitis or congenital metabolic defects, leading to jaundice.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Causes of neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is relatively common and its causes are usually related to the characteristics of neonatal bilirubin metabolism, which are mainly manifested in the following aspects: First, excessive production of bilirubin; second, poor ability of plasma albumin to bind bilirubin; third, poor ability of liver cells to process bilirubin; fourth, the enterohepatic circulation is more prevalent than in adults, thus making physiological jaundice more likely to occur. Furthermore, some children are affected by breastfeeding, with a portion of breastfed babies experiencing breast milk jaundice. Other factors include pathological reasons, such as viral infections common in hepatotropic viruses like cytomegalovirus, TORCH, etc.; jaundice can also occur following exposure to cold, which can lead to decreased resistance and bacterial infections; additionally, some children have jaundice due to genetic metabolic reasons.