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Neonatal jaundice — MRCPCH FOP MCQ

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ModerateNeonatologyNeonatal jaundiceMRCPCH FOP

A 16-hour-old term baby is visibly jaundiced. She is breastfeeding, alert and has no bruising; her mother is blood group O negative. What is the most appropriate investigation?

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Correct answer: D — Urgent serum bilirubin measurement within two hours

Visible jaundice in the first 24 hours is pathological until proven otherwise and requires urgent serum bilirubin measurement. Transcutaneous measurement is not the recommended approach for jaundice this early. Phototherapy decisions depend on bilirubin level and age in hours. The pearl is that the timing of jaundice is as important as the depth of colour.

Reference: NICE CG98 Jaundice in newborn babies