Jaundice is a common condition in newborn babies, which results in yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a build-up of bilirubin – a by-product of haeme breakdown.
In most babies, jaundice is not serious, and usually disappears within the first week, however severe jaundice (hyperbilirubinaemia) can cause more serious health problems and needs to be monitored and treated.
On this page:
Guideline
Published: January 2026. Next review: 2031.
The NSW Health Neonatal Jaundice and Hyperbilirubinaemia Identification and Management in ≥ 32 weeks gestation guideline outlines methods and approaches to identifying and treating jaundice in newborns. It supports neonatal and maternity services to provide safe and evidence-based clinical practice in line with Maternity and Neonatal Service Capability (GL2026_010) throughout NSW.
The guideline:
- outlines clinical practice that applies to all NSW Health maternity and neonatal services and staff, including outpatient models of care
- provides guidance on screening and management approaches
- supports services to collaborate within the tiered perinatal network and consider whether transfer to a higher level of care is necessary
- supports clinicians by providing information on evidence-based screening and management
- supports clinicians to provide family-focused care
- replaces Neonatal Jaundice and Hyperbilirubinaemia Identification and Management in ≥ 32 weeks gestation (GL2026_002).
This document includes updated flowcharts, screening and management, including:
- universal neonatal transcutaneous bilirubin screening
- risk factors for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia
- group and direct antiglobulin test (DAT) screening for neonates of any women with RhD negative or O positive blood group
- management graphs for greater than 32 weeks gestation
- flowcharts for screening and discharge
- home phototherapy guidance
- consumer information.
Resources for health professionals
Neonatal jaundice graphs are available from the NSW Health State Forms catalogue. The product numbers are listed below for each graph. NSW Health staff can order forms via Finsbury Green (login required) or use your local print ordering process.
| Neonatal jaundice graph | SMR | Product code |
|---|---|---|
| 32 weeks gestation sample graph32 weeks gestation | 110450 | NH700073 |
| 33 weeks gestation sample graph33 weeks gestation | 110451 | NH700074 |
| 34 weeks gestation sample graph34 weeks gestation | 110452 | NH700075 |
| 35 weeks gestation sample graph35 weeks gestation | 110453 | NH700076 |
| 36 weeks gestation sample graph36 weeks gestation | 110454 | NH700077 |
| 37 weeks gestation sample graph37 weeks gestation | 110455 | NH700078 |
| 38 weeks gestation sample graph38 weeks gestation | 110456 | NH700079 |
| ≥39 weeks gestation sample graph≥39 weeks gestation | 110457 | NH701290 |
Variations in serum bilirubin assay method and results in neonates (PDF)
Safety information broadcast notice
Source: NSW Health
Resources for parents and carers
- Jaundice fact sheet
Information about what jaundice is, when it needs to be treated and where to go for help.
Source: Agency for Clinical Innovation - Jaundice in babies
Read about why babies might have jaundice, how it is measured jaundice, plus treatments and complications.
Source: PregnancyBirthBaby - Jaundice in newborn babies
Information on jaundice, with links to translated PDFs.
Source: Sydney Children’s Hospital Network - Jaundice and phototherapy (video)
Understand what causes jaundice, recognise the symptoms, and learn about diagnosis and treatment.
Source: Sydney Local Health District - Phototherapy at home (video)
Information on how jaundice can be treated at home. This video provides a general example. Follow the advice of your local maternity or neonatal care team.
Source: Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne
Evidence checks
Published: April 2025. Next review: 2030.