Jaundice in the neonate – causes by age

< 24 hrs: haemolyis, TORCH

Day 2-3: physiologic; resorption of blood from birth-related cephalohaematoma

Day 3-7: infection, congenital diseases, TORCH

>1 week: breast milk jaundice, hypothyroidism, biliary atresia, hepatitis, haemolysis (drug / toxin-induced or due to red cell membrane disorders)

Apart from a total bilirubin level, they need direct and indirect bilirubin levels to differentiate between hepatic and haematologic causes.