Diagnosis of Jaundice

Diagnosis of Jaundice. Martin and Kim were both twenty-five when they had Michael, their first child. Kim remained very healthy during her pregnancy and went into labor at 9:00 p.m., just 3 days after her due date. Delivery went quite smoothly, and that evening, mother and child rested comfortably. Two days later, Kim and Michael were released from the hospital. That evening at feeding time, Kim noticed that the whites of Michael’s eyes seemed just slightly yellow, a condition that worsened noticeably by the next morning. Kim decided to bring the newborn into the ER the next evening. Upon examining Michael you inform Martin and Kim that the infant has neonatal jaundice, a condition quite common in newborns and one that need not cause them too much concern. You ask that the parents follow up with Michael’s pediatrician in order to monitor blood bilirubin concentration until the bilirubin concentration drops into the normal range.