<s>[INST] IS JAUNDICE HARMFUL/DANGEROUS TO MY BABY? [/INST] The primary concern with untreated Jaundice is a condition called Kernicterus. It can have a severe impact on the brain, resulting in brain damage.  Kernicterus is very rare here in the United States. Like very, super, incredibly rare.  It takes a high level of bilirubin (30+) in the blood for an extended amount of time to result in kernicterus. But because of the possible consequences, most doctors are highly proactive in resolving jaundice. 

What level of bilirubin in the blood it takes to present less severe brain and neurological impacts remains unclear. Babies born prematurely or that have other health issues might have a higher risk of seeing negative impacts of Jaundice at lower levels than healthy, full-term infants.  

In any case, generally speaking, Jaundice is typically not considered dangerous per se but should be monitored closely and treated when bilirubin reaches high levels. Mostly all babies here in the US have no side effects from jaundice.  Source: Mattos Lactation. Link: https://www.mattoslactation.com/blog/2018/12/1/answers-to-all-of-your-jaundice-questions-faqs. Field: Hepatology . Disease: Jaundice </s>