How to Care for Neonatal Jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is a common condition in newborns that causes the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow. It is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells are broken down.
Most cases of neonatal jaundice are mild and do not require treatment. However, in some cases, the jaundice can be severe and can lead to health problems.
Causes of Neonatal Jaundice
The most common cause of neonatal jaundice is immaturity of the liver. The liver is responsible for removing bilirubin from the blood. In newborns, the liver is not fully developed and cannot remove bilirubin as efficiently as it does in ***s.
Other causes of neonatal jaundice include:
Breastfeeding: Breast milk contains a substance that can interfere with the liver's ability to remove bilirubin.
Formula feeding: Formula-fed babies are more likely to develop jaundice than breastfed babies.
Certain medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics, can cause jaundice.
Genetic disorders: Some genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anemia, can cause jaundice.
Infection: An infection can cause the liver to become inflamed and unable to remove bilirubin from the blood.
Symptoms of Neonatal Jaundice
The most noticeable symptom of neonatal jaundice is yellow skin and whites of the eyes. The yellowing usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
Other symptoms of neonatal jaundice include:
Dark urine: Bilirubin can cause the urine to turn dark yellow or orange.
Pale stools: Bilirubin can cause the stools to turn pale yellow or gray.
Lethargy: Jaundice can make babies feel tired and lethargic.
Poor feeding: Jaundice can make babies lose their appetite and feed poorly.
Weight loss: Jaundice can cause babies to lose weight.
Diagnosis of Neonatal Jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is diagnosed based on a physical examination and blood tests. The blood tests will measure the level of bilirubin in the blood.
Treatment of Neonatal Jaundice
Most cases of neonatal jaundice are mild and do not require treatment. However, in some cases, the jaundice can be severe and can lead to health problems.
Treatment for neonatal jaundice depends on the severity of the jaundice and the underlying cause. Treatment options include:
Phototherapy: Phototherapy is a treatment that uses light to break down bilirubin. The baby is placed under a special light for several hours each day.
Exchange transfusion: An exchange transfusion is a procedure in which the baby's blood is replaced with donor blood. This is only done in severe cases of jaundice.
Prevention of Neonatal Jaundice
There is no way to completely prevent neonatal jaundice. However, there are some things that can be done to reduce the risk of developing jaundice, including:
Breastfeeding: Breast milk contains a substance that can help to prevent jaundice.
Avoiding formula feeding: Formula-fed babies are more likely to develop jaundice than breastfed babies.
Not giving the baby any medications that can cause jaundice: Some medications, such as antibiotics, can cause jaundice.
Getting the baby checked for any underlying medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, can cause jaundice.
Outlook for Neonatal Jaundice
Most cases of neonatal jaundice are mild and do not cause any health problems. However, in some cases, the jaundice can be severe and can lead to health problems.
The outlook for neonatal jaundice depends on the severity of the jaundice and the underlying cause. With early diagnosis and treatment, most babies with neonatal jaundice will recover fully.
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