Abstract
Neonatal jaundice is very common, affecting about 60-80% of newborns, yet delay in recognition still leads to preventable complications. In our study of 500 babies, most were males from rural background and middle or upper-lower socioeconomic class, with 81% reaching hospital within 72 hours. Educated mothers, those from urban homes or with previous history of neonatal jaundice, noticed yellow discolouration earlier and graded jaundice almost similar to clinicians, leading to faster presentation. Thus, we show the accuracy of maternal recognition and grading of neonatal jaundice correlates with clinical assessment and timing of presentation.