In some areas of the UK not all types of hypothyroidism are screened. Therefore, if your baby is still jaundiced after 14 days you should check with your Midwife or Doctor that the Guthrie test carried out on your baby rules out all types of hypothyroidism. Jaundice should normally have disappeared by the time your baby is ten days old. If your baby is still jaundiced at the age of two weeks, then it is important that your baby is seen by the Doctor, Midwife or your Health Visitor who will arrange for urine and blood tests. Normally a baby's stools are yellow or green Being able to answer these questions will be helpful to your Doctor, Midwife or Health Visitor.
Time is important.
Prolonged jaundice can be a sign of liver disease. 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.