Your infant may have yellowish skin and eyes, which may worry you. Do not worry, 60 to 80 percent of newborns globally have infant jaundice. About 70 percent of term and 80 percent of preterm newborns in India have jaundice in their first week.
Jaundice occurs when your baby blood contains too much bilirubin. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced by aged red blood cells breaking down. Adult livers manage this process well, but newborns livers are still learning. It is like a new employee learning their duties, it may take longer at first!
Early identification and treatment of neonatal jaundice are crucial. Most instances are minor and resolve within two weeks, but some newborns may require special treatment. Doctors and nurses screen all babies for jaundice before they leave the hospital. Early detection lets us take action to keep your infant healthy and happy.
Fortunately, jaundice in newborns is generally transient and will resolve as the liver matures and improves. Keep an eye on your child and know when to contact the doctor. It is better safe than sorry with our infants!
Signs & Symptoms of Jaundice
When parents discover what Is Jaundice, they have numerous questions. Explain this frequent ailment in simple words.
What is Bilirubin?
Babies produce yellow bilirubin as they break down old red blood cells. Imagine a banana becoming yellow when overripe. Newborns livers require time to remove this chemical from the blood.
Normal and High Bilirubin Levels
Newborns bilirubin levels are normally 5 to 7 mg/dL. When levels exceed 12 mg/dL, your baby skin may become yellow. Doctors worry about readings beyond 20 mg/dL, which requires immediate treatment.
Different Types of Newborn Jaundice
- Physiological Jaundice: The usual form occurs 2 to 4 days after delivery.
- Breastfeeding Jaundice: When newborns are not receiving enough milk, breastfeeding jaundice appears in the first week.
- Breast Milk Jaundice: Later onset breast milk jaundice lasts 3 to 12 weeks.
- Blood Type Jaundice: When mom and baby have different blood types, jaundice occurs.
When Jaundice Typically Shows Up
The timeframe is simple:
- Day 1 to 2: Rarely visible
- Day 3 to 4: Most common time to see jaundice
- Day 5 to 7: Usually starts getting better
- After 2 weeks: Should be gone in most healthy babies
Although every baby is different, understanding these principles helps you understand yours. If your baby jaundice worries you, see your doctor.
What Causes Jaundice in Newborns?
Your kid may acquire jaundice for numerous causes. Let us simplify the most typical reasons.
Natural Causes
The majority of healthy babies have physiological jaundice. Babies have more blood cells than adults, therefore this is natural. When they die, these blood cells produce more bilirubin because they live less than adult blood cells. This variety normally appears 2 to 4 days after delivery and disappears within 2 weeks.
Feeding Related Causes
In the first few days, newborns without adequate breast milk might suffer jaundice. This occurs when women are waiting for their milk or when newborns have feeding issues. Better news: feeding your infant more regularly helps minimize this sort of jaundice. Sometimes breast milk causes jaundice differently. Breast milk jaundice appears after the first week. This normally improves on its own in 3 to 12 weeks, however physicians do not know why.
Medical Causes
Different blood types in mom and baby might induce jaundice. When this occurs, the mother antibodies tear down the baby red blood cells, increasing bilirubin. This may happen when mom has type O blood and baby type A or B, or when the Rh factor differs.
Special Cases
Because their livers cannot manage bilirubin, premature newborns are more prone to suffer jaundice. They need more care and therapy sooner than full term newborns. Jaundice may result from hereditary disorders that make red blood cells break down faster in newborns.
Parents know what to anticipate and when to see their doctor when they understand these causes. Most occurrences of jaundice are transient, but you should notify your doctor of any changes in your infant.
How Is Jaundice Diagnosed?
Checking for jaundice is crucial for newborns. Doctors have various straightforward procedures to diagnose and assess newborn jaundice. Let us examine their method.
Looking at Your Baby
Doctors initially examine your baby skin and eyes for jaundice. Jaundice may be present if they lightly push your baby skin and raise their finger to reveal yellow. After inspecting your baby face, they examine the chest, abdomen, and legs. This examination occurs before leaving the hospital and during follow ups.
Blood Tests
Your kid will undergo a brief blood test if physicians suspect jaundice. Baby blood bilirubin is measured by this test. Like monitoring a car oil level, it notifies physicians whether levels are normal or high. A little drop of blood from your baby heel is needed for the test.
Special Light Machine
Doctors may utilize a skin checking bilirubin machine. It is fast and painless, they hold this gadget on your baby skin. If this equipment displays high levels, physicians will require a blood test to confirm.
Doctors closely monitor newborns with jaundice. They may:
- Monitor bilirubin every several hours or days.
- Check how quickly levels are rising.
- Track your baby feedings and diaper changes.
- Please bring your infant for checkups.
How Is Jaundice Treated?
Doctors have various jaundice treatments for babies. They will treat jaundice based on your baby bilirubin levels and cause. Explore all the ways physicians may help your baby heal.
Light Therapy (Phototherapy)
The most frequent therapy is special lights that break down your baby yellow blood. In this treatment:
- Your diapered infant rests beneath brilliant blue lights.
- Their eyes are protected by soft patches.
- Lights modify bilirubin so your infant can better eliminate it.
- Most newborns require 1 to 2 days of therapy.
Feeding More Often
Doctors recommend for mild jaundice:
- Feeding infant every 2 to 3 hours
- Providing enough milk to your baby
- Tracking moist diapers
- Consulting a nursing specialist if required
Special Medical Treatments
For severe situations, physicians may use:
- IV fluids: If your infant needs more fluids, they may require a small catheter in their vein.
- Blood Transfusions: Doctors may use donor blood if your infant has severe jaundice.
- Special Medicine (IVIG): Some newborns get IV medication to slow red blood cell breakdown.
Taking Care at Home
You can aid your infant after treatment:
- Providing enough nutrition
- Waiting for yellow to return
- Attending all doctor visits thereafter
- Home indirect sunlight near a window
- Changing diapers immediately
Preventing and Managing Newborn Jaundice
It is simpler than you think to keep your infant healthy and avoid jaundice. What to know about infant care.
Feeding Your Baby Right
- Feed your kid every 2 to 3 hours, even if you wake them.
- Feed your infant 8 to 12 times daily.
Watch for symptoms of adequate milk for your baby:
- 6 to 8 wet diapers daily Regular bowel motions
- After eating, baby appears content.
Watching Your Baby at Home
Monitor your baby:
- Natural sunshine skin color check
- Checking their eyes for yellow
- Recording feedings and diaper changes
- Checking for sleepiness or fussiness
- Going to Follow up Visits
Doctors wish to:
- See your newborn 3 to 5 days after delivery.
- Check bilirubin if required.
- Make sure feeding works.
- Address any queries
When to Call Your Doctor Right Away
Talk to your doctor if your baby:
- Shows signs of sleepiness, not eating properly, or refusing food.
- Has yellower skin
- High pitched cry
- Wet diapers less than usual
- Still jaundice after 2 weeks
Newborn Jaundice Complications
Most jaundice is harmless, but it is vital to know what might happen if it grows worse. Parents should informed about potential difficulties.
Understanding Kernicterus
Kernicterus may result from severe jaundice. Your baby brain is affected by too much bilirubin. Imagine too much yellow paint flowing over, it causes harm. This is uncommon nowadays due to modern medical treatment, but it is vital to know about.
How to Avoid Major Issues
Fortunately, significant consequences are usually avoided. What helps:
- Checkups in the first week of life
- Following your doctor feeding advice
- Never miss jaundice testing.
- Receiving treated promptly
- Checking house for warning flags
Conclusion
Preventing long term issues requires early treatment. The doctor will help you take all the essential actions to keep your baby healthy. Want professional guidance on your baby jaundice? Get doctors and information instantly with DocTube. Get trusted medical advice at your fingertips!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does newborn jaundice last?
Jaundice usually starts 2 to 4 days after delivery and clears in 2 weeks. 3 to 12 weeks of breast milk jaundice.
Can jaundice affect breastfed babies differently?
Breastfed infants might acquire jaundice from not having enough milk or from breast milk chemicals. Both are typically innocuous.
What are safe bilirubin levels?
Normal is 5 to 7 mg/dL. Treatment begins when levels exceed 12 mg/dL, depending on baby age and health.
How effective is phototherapy?
Usually, light treatment lowers bilirubin within 24 to 48 hours.
When should parents seek emergency care?
If your infant is drowsy, not eating properly, has darker yellow skin, high pitched wailing, or feels hot and cold, get care immediately.
