Causes and treatments of neonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice, also known as newborn jaundice, is a common condition that affects newborns. It is caused by a build-up of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells are broken down. In most cases, neonatal jaundice is harmless and will go away on its own within a few weeks. However, in some cases, neonatal jaundice can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
Causes of neonatal jaundice
The most common cause of neonatal jaundice is physiological jaundice. This type of jaundice is caused by the baby's liver being immature and unable to process bilirubin effectively. Physiological jaundice usually develops within the first few days of life and peaks at around 1 week of age. It typically goes away on its own within 2-3 weeks.
Other causes of neonatal jaundice include:
Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding can sometimes cause jaundice in newborns. This is because breast milk contains a substance that can block the baby's liver from processing bilirubin. Breastfeeding-induced jaundice usually develops within the first week of life and peaks at around 2 weeks of age. It typically goes away on its own within 2-3 weeks.
Jaundice due to blood group incompatibility: This type of jaundice occurs when the mother and baby have different blood types. The mother's antibodies can attack the baby's red blood cells, causing them to break down and release bilirubin. Jaundice due to blood group incompatibility can develop within the first 24 hours of life and can be severe.
Jaundice due to liver disease: Jaundice can be a sign of liver disease in newborns. Liver disease can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, birth defects, and metabolic disorders. Jaundice due to liver disease can develop at any time during the newborn period.
Jaundice due to other medical conditions: Jaundice can also be a sign of other medical conditions, such as sepsis, hemolytic anemia, and hypothyroidism. Jaundice due to other medical conditions can develop at any time during the newborn period.
Symptoms of neonatal jaundice
The most common symptom of neonatal jaundice is yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. The yellowing typically starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Other symptoms of neonatal jaundice can include:
Dark urine
Pale stools
Fussiness
Lethargy
Poor feeding
Diagnosis of neonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is diagnosed based on a physical exam and a blood test. The blood test will measure the level of bilirubin in the baby's blood.
Treatment of neonatal jaundice
In most cases, neonatal jaundice does not require treatment. However, if the bilirubin level is high, the baby may need to be treated with phototherapy. Phototherapy is a treatment that uses light to break down bilirubin. The baby will be placed under a special light for several hours each day.
In some cases, the baby may need to be given a blood transfusion. A blood transfusion will replace the baby's blood with blood from a donor who has a compatible blood type.
Prevention of neonatal jaundice
There is no sure way to prevent neonatal jaundice. However, there are some things that can be done to reduce the risk of developing jaundice, such as:
Breastfeeding the baby exclusively for the first few weeks of life
Avoiding giving the baby formula that contains cow's milk
Getting the baby checked for blood group incompatibility before birth
Treating any underlying medical conditions that can cause jaundice
When to call the doctor
Call the doctor if your baby is showing signs of neonatal jaundice, such as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. The doctor will need to examine the baby and order a blood test to check the bilirubin level.
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