Doctors create parents’ guide to recognising jaundice in babies with darker skin tones

A guide to help parents recognise jaundice in babies with darker skin tones has been created by two of our doctors.

Jaundice is a common newborn condition which affects six in 10 term infants and eight in 10 babies born prematurely before the 37th week of pregnancy. It presents as yellowing of the skin in babies with paler skin tones and is easily treatable if detected early. However, jaundice can appear differently in babies with darker skin tones, making it harder to detect and increasing the risk of delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Following the success of creating a toolkit to help healthcare professionals identify jaundice in Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) newborns, Consultant Neonatologist Dr Helen Gbinigie and Dr Oghenetega Edokpolor, who work on the Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit, coproduced a guide to help families recognise the signs. The guide also includes information on where and how to seek help.

Dr Edokpolor, who is an ST5 neonatal trainee*, said: “Initially we worked with the NHS Race and Health Observatory to develop a toolkit to help healthcare professionals identify jaundice in Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) newborns. This followed a national review which highlighted the urgent need for resources to help healthcare professionals identify jaundice in Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) newborns.

“We wanted everyone to recognise jaundice before it causes harm, so we created a guide for parents and families. Working with parents and staff at Medway Maritime Hospital, as well as Five X More and Bliss Baby Charity, helped make it relatable, inclusive, and impactful.

“But we felt it was important that everyone is able to recognise jaundice before it causes any harm which is why we then went on to create the guide for parents and family members.”

Dr Gbinigie said: “Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of jaundice are essential to improve outcomes and prevent avoidable, irreversible brain damage in babies. This is more achievable when parents are empowered to recognise the signs and seek help early for their jaundiced newborns.

“Treatment is usually recommended only if a baby’s blood shows high levels of bilirubin reaching the treatment threshold. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when red blood cells break down. If levels become too high, there is a risk of permanent brain damage, known as kernicterus. In rare cases, jaundice may also indicate an underlying health condition, making timely diagnosis crucial.”

Parents and families can download a copy of the guide from the NHS Race and Health Observatory website.

* an ST5 neonatal trainee is someone who is in year five of their speciality training to become a neonatology consultant instead of a general paediatrician.

Read our hospital magazine!

View the latest edition

Front cover of our spring magazine. Title reads 'News at Medway Spring 2025'. Jools Holland stands in front of the Medway clocktower. Headline reads

Join us in making a difference

Get involved