Neonatal jaundice (icterus) occurs in half of full-term newborns. It usually resolves on its own and has no further consequences. It is caused by the breakdown of red blood cells, which releases the pigment bilirubin, causing yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. We monitor jaundice in all babies twice a day using transcutaneous icterometry – a painless procedure involving placing a probe on the baby’s skin. If jaundice rises above a certain level, the doctor may decide to check the baby’s blood for jaundice. Mild forms of jaundice do not require treatment. If the jaundice is more severe, we treat the baby with phototherapy – blue light treatment, which takes place in a baby box, where the baby is under the direct supervision of pediatric nurses. The nurses regularly bring the babies to their mothers for breastfeeding during phototherapy, or the mother comes to the baby box to see her baby.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur in some newborns at risk, such as babies with low or high birth weight, babies of mothers with gestational or other forms of diabetes, premature babies, and newborns with postnatal adaptation disorders. We check the blood sugar levels of all newborns at risk by taking a sample from the heel.

Fluctuating body temperature is also one of the possible initial problems in newborns. Newborns do not have fully developed thermoregulation and can easily become hypothermic or overheated. Both can pose a risk to the baby. In the first days of life, we regularly measure the baby’s temperature under the arm (normal range 36–37°C) or in the bottom (normal range 36.5–37.5°C).

Transient rapid or labored breathing (transient tachypnea of the newborn) after birth. We monitor newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (even if they require oxygen therapy). The baby’s condition often improves spontaneously within a few hours. In case of complications, we will care for the baby in our specialized intensive care unit.

Conjunctivitis, which may manifest itself in the form of eye discharge in the first few days after birth. This is caused by the baby passing through the birth canal, which is colonized by a number of microbes. The eyes are treated with eye drops.

During childbirth, injuries to the newborn may occur. The most common injuries are to the scalp as a result of pressure in the birth canal, bruises sustained during delivery, or a broken collarbone. Most injuries are not complicated and heal without consequences. More serious injuries are rare.

Monitoring newborns of mothers colonized with Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS), as mothers may have the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae in their birth canal, where many microbes naturally occur, which poses an increased risk of early neonatal infection. If the bacteria is present in the mother, antibiotics (ATB) are administered to the mother during delivery as a preventive measure. If antibiotics cannot be administered in time due to the speed of delivery, we regularly monitor the newborn’s breathing, heart rate, and body temperature during the first 48 hours of life, but the babies remain with their mothers in the postpartum room during monitoring.