Whilst liver disease in babies is rare, it is important that it is detected quickly and, where appropriate, treatment given. A simple urine test which is done by dipping a small stick impregnated with chemicals in a sample of your baby's urine can indicate whether the cause of your baby's jaundice is liver disease. The blood test will also help to confirm this. If liver disease is the cause, a paediatrician will need to carry out more investigations to find out which liver disease is affecting your baby. Naturally all this takes time.
Weeks can be important.
The earlier treatment is given, the better, as it is likely that less damage will have been done to your baby's liver. Remember, liver disease is rare. But for those babies that are affected, it can be very serious. The Golden Rule is that if your baby is still jaundiced two weeks after being born then urine and blood tests need to be done. This page is for information only.