Newborn Jaundice: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention- Wellsun Medicity

 

Understanding Newborn Jaundice Or (Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia)

Newborn jaundice occurs when a baby's skin and eyes appear yellow due to elevated bilirubin levels. Typically, it resolves as the liver matures and the baby begins to feed, generally clearing up within 2 to 3 weeks. However, if jaundice persists, it may indicate an underlying issue. High bilirubin levels pose a risk of brain damage in infants.

Causes and types

Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that forms when red blood cells break down. In older infants and adults, the liver efficiently processes bilirubin, allowing it to move through the digestive system. However, a newborn's liver is still developing and may not be ready to handle this process effectively.

There are two main types of newborn jaundice: physiological and pathological. Physiological jaundice is the most common, making up about 75% of cases. It occurs when a baby's body can't clear bilirubin quickly enough, usually showing up a few days after birth and resolving on its own within a few weeks as the liver matures and red blood cell breakdown slows down.

Pathological jaundice, on the other hand, indicates an underlying issue that affects the baby's ability to filter out bilirubin and may appear within the first 24 hours after birth.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Risk factors

These include:

·         premature birth,

·         history of newborn jaundice in siblings,

·         being male assigned at birth (MAAB),

 

Diagnosis

While the yellow color in a baby confirms that they have jaundice, more tests might be needed to see how serious it is. Babies with jaundice usually get a blood test to measure the amount of bilirubin in their blood. Other tests may also be done to check for any underlying problems, including a complete blood count (CBC), blood type, and Rh incompatibility. Additionally, a Coombs test might be performed to look for antibodies that indicate a higher risk of red blood cell breakdown.

Treatment

Mild jaundice usually goes away on its own as a baby's liver matures, and feeding them frequently (at least 8 times a day) can help them get rid of bilirubin. If jaundice is more severe, other treatments may be needed. One common and effective treatment is phototherapy, which uses special blue lights to help break down bilirubin. During phototherapy, the baby lies on a special bed under the light, wearing just a diaper and protective goggles. Sometimes, a fiber-optic blanket is used too. In very serious cases, an exchange transfusion might be required, where the baby receives small amounts of healthy donor blood to replace damaged blood and lower bilirubin levels. If there’s an underlying issue causing the jaundice, that will need to be treated as well.

Prevention:

You can't prevent physiological jaundice, but you can lower the chances of it happening by feeding your newborn often. This helps them get rid of bilirubin faster. If you or your doctor suspect there might be an underlying issue causing jaundice, there are tests available to check for this so that you or your baby can get any necessary preventive treatment.

 

Consult with Dr.Ankit Pachauri  at wellsun medicity discuss your risk factors and develop a personalized plan to reduce your risk.

Wellsun Medicity Multispecialty Hospital

Dr.Ankit Pachauri

MBBS, (KGMU)MD Pediatrics (KGMU) - Pediatrics

www.wellsunmedicity.com