You will know from your own practice that jaundice is a commonly seen symptom in newborn babies. Part of your role as a midwife is to identify when jaundice is considered to be normal or abnormal and requiring treatment. This practical guide looks at these issues and provides a range of resources to support you in identifying and treating neonatal jaundice.

When you have completed this module and the activities included you will be able to:

• explain the normal physiology of bilirubin metabolism
• understand the consequences of hyperbilirubinaemia
• identify the baby at increased risk
• recognise the clinical signs of unconjugated and conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia in the newborn
• use the NICE bilirubin charts appropriately and confidently
• understand the role of phototherapy and exchange transfusion
• identify common causes of prolonged jaundice

Study time: 3 hours (the module includes seven videos of between 2 and 15 minutes duration)

Updated course content: 2020