Is my baby yellow?

In July 2004, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) summarized the latest medical research regarding newborn jaundice and updated the current clinical guidelines. The AAP recommends that clinicians 1) promote breastfeeding and not routinely supplement newborns with water; 2) assess the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia before discharge; 3) provide follow-up visits after discharge to assess jaundice; and 4) when indicated, treat newborns with phototherapy or exchange transfusion to prevent the development of severe hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus. This article summarizes the new guidelines.