Newborn jaundice is a common problem that changes the color of the skin and eyes of a newborn baby. This condition occurs due to hyperbilirubinemia (increased bilirubin in the blood). Bilirubin is a yellow substance that is produced in the body when red blood cells break down.

During pregnancy, the mother's liver removes bilirubin for the fetus....but after birth, the baby's liver must start removing this substance....so if the liver is not developed enough, it may not be able to get rid of bilirubin....as a result, this substance accumulates in the blood and the baby's skin looks yellow.

In this article from GCORP LLC magazine, we will answer the question of what is baby jaundice and what are its symptoms....we will also introduce you to the fastest way to treat baby jaundice.... stay with us until the end of this article.

Symptoms of baby jaundice

When does a baby's jaundice start and what are its symptoms is a common question of many parents... In response, we must say that the yellow skin and white eyes are the main symptoms of baby jaundice and they usually appear between the second and fourth days after birth.

To test the baby's jaundice at home, it is recommended to gently press the baby's forehead or nose under good lighting conditions (preferably in natural daylight). If the skin looks yellow where you pressed, your baby probably has mild jaundice... In healthy children, the skin color can be seen a little lighter than normal for a moment.

What causes baby jaundice?

If the baby's jaundice is not treated, high levels of bilirubin can cause the following serious complications:

1.... Acute bilirubin encephalopathy

Bilirubin is toxic to brain cells.... If a baby has severe jaundice, there is a risk of this substance entering the brain and causing a disease called acute bilirubin encephalopathy.... Timely treatment prevents significant and permanent damage.... Symptoms of acute bilirubin encephalopathy include:

• Difficulty waking up
• cry out loud
• Poor sucking or feeding
• arching the neck and body backwards
• Fever

Learn more: What is baby colic?

2.... Kernicterus

If the infant's jaundice is prolonged, the possibility of kernicterus increases.... Kernicterus is a syndrome that occurs due to permanent brain damage due to acute bilirubin encephalopathy.... This syndrome may lead to:

• Involuntary and uncontrolled movements (Athetoid Cerebral Palsy)
• Constantly looking up
• Hearing loss
Improper growth of tooth enamel

Time to see a doctor

In most hospitals, the baby's health condition is checked before discharge. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be checked for jaundice during routine medical examinations and at least every eight to 12 hours in the hospital.

In addition, your baby should be re-examined between the third and seventh day after birth, when the bilirubin level peaks. If the baby is discharged earlier than 72 hours after birth, you should see the pediatrician within two days of discharge.

The following symptoms may indicate severe jaundice or complications from excess bilirubin. Therefore, it is necessary to contact the doctor if you see them:

• The child's skin is turning yellow
• The skin of the child's abdomen, arms or legs looks yellow
• The whites of the child's eyes are seen as yellow
• The child is lethargic or has difficulty waking up
• The child does not gain weight or does not feed well
• The child cries loudly
• The child has other symptoms that cause you concern

Learn more: Is jaundice dangerous in adults?

What is the cause of baby jaundice?

Excess bilirubin is the cause of jaundice in babies after birth.... This substance is a natural part of the pigment that is released from the breakdown of red blood cells.... In the first few days of life, babies produce more red blood cells than adults, which break down quickly.

The liver naturally takes bilirubin from the bloodstream and releases it into the intestinal tract. The newborn's immature liver cannot eliminate bilirubin quickly enough, which causes the bilirubin to rise. The jaundice caused by this natural condition is called "physiological jaundice" and usually appears on the second or third day of life.

However, sometimes an underlying disorder is involved in jaundice.. In these cases, symptoms develop much earlier or later than physiological jaundice... These underlying disorders include:

• Internal bleeding
• blood infection (sepsis)
Other viral or bacterial infections
• mother and baby blood incompatibility (baby jaundice due to blood type)
• Liver dysfunction
• Biliary atresia (conditions in which the child's bile ducts are blocked or injured)
• Enzyme deficiency
• The presence of an abnormality in the child's red blood cells that causes them to break down quickly

Risk factors of infant jaundice

The factors that increase the risk of jaundice, especially its severe type, are:

• Premature birth: A baby born before 38 weeks of pregnancy may not be able to process bilirubin like other babies.... On the other hand, he may not nurse well and have fewer stools....as a result, less bilirubin is excreted through the stool.
• Significant bruising at birth: Babies who bruise at birth may have elevated bilirubin due to breakdown of red blood cells.
• Blood type: If the blood type of the mother is different from the fetus, the baby may receive antibodies through the placenta that cause rapid breakdown of red blood cells.
• Breastfeeding: Sometimes baby jaundice is caused by breastmilk....Breastfed babies, especially those who are not getting enough nutrients, are more at risk....However, because of the benefits of breastfeeding, experts still recommend it...The only important thing is to make sure your baby is well-nourished and hydrated.
• Race: Studies show that East Asian babies are more at risk of developing jaundice than other children.

Know more: Harms of giving water to babies

Method to diagnose baby jaundice

Paediatrician can probably detect jaundice from the child's appearance... However, it is necessary to measure the level of bilirubin in the blood... because it determines the severity of the disease and the course of treatment.

The baby's jaundice test is done from the soles of the feet.. In other words, health personnel take blood from the soles of the baby's feet.. If there is evidence that the jaundice is caused by an underlying disorder, the doctor may prescribe other tests.

How dangerous is baby jaundice?

The answer to the question of how much the baby's jaundice should be depends on the child's age... You can see the baby's jaundice grading table below:

The best treatment for baby jaundice

Determining the severity of the baby's jaundice is important for hospitalization... Mild jaundice often resolves on its own within 2 or 3 weeks... But for moderate or severe jaundice, your baby may stay in the hospital longer or be readmitted... Recommended treatments to reduce blood bilirubin levels include the following:

• Light therapy (phototherapy): In the method of light therapy or light therapy, a special lamp that emits light of the green-blue spectrum is the best tool for infant jaundice. The light changes the shape and structure of bilirubin molecules in such a way that they are excreted both through urine and feces.
• Immunoglobulin intravenous (IVIg):If the cause of jaundice is related to the difference in the blood group of the mother and the baby, IVIg is the best medicine for newborn jaundice... Using this medicine helps control jaundice and reduces the need for blood transfusion.
• Blood transfusion: If the jaundice is severe and does not respond to other treatments, the baby needs a blood transfusion. This procedure involves repeatedly removing small amounts of the baby's blood and replacing it with another person's blood. This will dilute the bilirubin and the mother's antibodies.

How to treat baby jaundice at home

If the jaundice is not severe, your doctor may recommend changes in your eating habits to lower your bilirubin levels. These changes include:

• Frequent feedings: Frequent feedings make your baby get more milk....as a result, the frequency of bowel movements increases and bilirubin is excreted through the stool....Breastfed babies should be fed eight to twelve times a day for the first few days of life....For formula-fed babies, the first 60 to 3 hours should be fed..weeks.
• Supportive feeding: If the baby has difficulty feeding with breast milk, loses weight or is dehydrated, the doctor may recommend using formula or expressed milk. Sometimes the doctor asks you to give the baby only formula for a few days and then resume breastfeeding.

Learn more: What are the side effects of kissing a baby?.. Ways to prevent its side effects

How long does jaundice last in babies?

The duration of the baby's jaundice depends on the type of feeding.... If the baby is formula fed, the jaundice usually goes away within 2 weeks... In breastfed babies, the jaundice may last a month or more.

Endword

Jaundice in babies may cause concern for parents, but it is usually not serious and resolves on its own. Of course, not treating severe jaundice is dangerous and has serious consequences. If you are worried about your child's health, talk to a pediatrician.

GCORP LLC has made it possible for you to consult with the best specialists wherever you are in Iran or the world.... You can visit the GCORP LLC website and consult with the best specialist doctors, including pediatricians online.... You can also use the online appointment system to see a pediatrician from the desired specialist.. It's your turn.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources: mayoclinic, my.clevelandclinic