Newborn Jaundice: Causes & Care

Newborn Jaundice: Causes & Care Newborn jaundice is a common issue in new babies. It makes their skin and eyes look yellow. This happens when there’s too much bilirubin in their blood.

It’s important to spot and treat jaundice early to keep babies healthy. Knowing the signs, causes, and treatments helps parents take good care of their babies.

What is Newborn Jaundice?

Newborn jaundice is a common issue in babies. It happens when a baby’s liver can’t handle bilirubin yet. Bilirubin is a yellow stuff made when old red blood cells break down.

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Bilirubin is usually processed by the liver and then goes into the intestines to be thrown out. But in newborns, especially those born too early, the liver takes time to get it right. This leads to the yellow color of jaundice in babies.

The American Family Physician says it’s key to watch for signs of jaundice in newborns. Watching how bilirubin levels go up after birth is important. High levels can be a problem, so seeing a doctor quickly is a must.

The World Health Organization says catching jaundice early is key for good health. Knowing why bilirubin builds up in newborns helps parents and caregivers deal with it.

Causes of Jaundice in Infants

Jaundice in newborns can happen for many reasons, mostly because of high bilirubin levels. It’s important to know why it happens for good care of infants. Here are the main reasons for jaundice in babies.

Physiological Jaundice

This is the most common type and shows up in the first week. It comes from the normal breakdown of red blood cells. This makes bilirubin levels go up. But, it usually goes away as the baby’s liver gets better.

Breastfeeding Jaundice

Not drinking enough breast milk can cause dehydration and slow down bowel movements. This makes bilirubin levels go up. Drinking enough milk helps fix this kind of jaundice.

Breast Milk Jaundice

This kind of jaundice might be from things in breast milk that affect bilirubin levels. It starts in the second half of the first week and can last longer. But, it’s usually not a big health problem.

Other Medical Conditions

Some health issues can also make bilirubin levels go up in babies. These include blood group incompatibility, enzyme problems, and genetic disorders. Finding and treating these early is key for taking good care of babies.

Symptoms of Jaundice in Babies

Parents and caregivers should watch for signs of jaundice in newborns. Spotting it early helps in treating it better.

Yellowing of the Skin

Newborn jaundice signs include yellow skin. It starts on the face and spreads to the chest, arms, and legs. Watch how yellow it gets closely.

Yellowing of the Eyes

Check the whites of your baby’s eyes too. Yellow eyes mean jaundice. Regular checks can spot this early.

Poor Feeding

Watch if your baby eats less or seems not interested. Jaundice makes babies eat less, which worsens the condition. Catching this early is key.

Sleepiness

Babies with jaundice sleep a lot. They seem more tired than usual. Note if they sleep more than usual when looking for jaundice signs.

Diagnosing Jaundice in Newborns

Diagnosing jaundice in newborns is key in pediatric care. It takes several steps for a right jaundice diagnosis. Doctors use physical checks and tests like the bilirubin test to see if a baby has jaundice.

Doctors first look for yellow skin and eyes. Then, they check bilirubin levels with a bilirubin test. This test tells them how bad the jaundice is. Different bilirubin levels need different treatments.

Sometimes, doctors do more tests. They look for infections or other issues that might raise bilirubin levels.

The table below outlines some key diagnostic steps and their purposes:

The American Academy of Pediatrics says quick and right diagnosis is key. The Archives of Disease in Childhood and the Pediatrics & Neonatology Journal agree. They say regular checks and quick action are important in pediatric care.

High Levels of Jaundice in Newborns

Jaundice in newborns is a serious issue. It happens when a baby has too much bilirubin in their blood. If not treated, it can cause big health problems. It’s important to catch it early and treat it right.

Getting treatment fast is key for babies with jaundice. If bilirubin gets into the brain, it can cause permanent harm. Watching babies for jaundice signs helps stop big health problems later on.

The table below shows the risks and signs of jaundice in newborns. It also shows why treating it early is so important.

Managing jaundice in newborns right away is very important for their health. The National Institute of Child Health & Human Development and The Lancet agree. Early treatment cuts down the risks of jaundice in newborns a lot.

Potential Complications from Jaundice in Infants

If jaundice in infants is not treated quickly, it can cause serious health problems. These problems can affect both short-term and long-term health.

Kernicterus

Kernicterus is a serious brain damage from too much bilirubin. It happens when jaundice is not treated. The American Neurological Association says treating it early can stop it from getting worse.

Hearing Loss

Jaundice can also cause hearing loss in infants. High bilirubin levels can harm the hearing pathways. The Pediatrics Journal says catching it early can help prevent this.

Cerebral Palsy

Severe jaundice can lead to cerebral palsy. This makes moving hard and is from brain damage from bilirubin. Treating jaundice early can lower the risk of this.

Vision Problems

Long-term high bilirubin levels can cause vision issues in infants. These include problems with eye movement and seeing things. Treating jaundice early is key to avoid these vision problems, as the Journal of Perinatology found.

Treatment Options for Jaundice in Newborns

There are many ways to treat jaundice in newborns. Each method helps lower bilirubin levels in the baby’s blood. The right treatment depends on how bad the jaundice is and what the baby needs.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy is a common way to treat jaundice. The baby sits under special lights that break down bilirubin in the skin. It’s safe and works well, making it a key part of caring for newborns.

Exchange Transfusion

Sometimes, a baby needs an exchange transfusion. This is when the baby’s blood is replaced with fresh donor blood to lower bilirubin levels fast. It’s more serious but can save babies with very high jaundice levels.

Natural Sunlight

Using natural sunlight can also help with jaundice. It’s a simple, non-invasive way to treat mild cases. But, it should only be done with a doctor’s watchful eye to prevent sunburn.

Feeding Interventions

Increasing how often a baby feeds can help with jaundice. It encourages regular bowel movements, which helps get rid of bilirubin. Making sure the baby eats well is key to treating jaundice.

Care Tips for Parents

Parents need to be alert and well-informed when caring for newborns, especially with jaundice. Here are some tips for the best care for your baby:

Regular Feeding

Feeding your baby often is key to their health. It helps lower bilirubin levels, which can cause jaundice, by making bowel movements. Whether breastfeeding or using formula, feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours in the first weeks. This is important for your baby’s health and helps with jaundice care.

Monitoring Baby’s Symptoms

Watching your baby closely is very important. Look at their skin and eyes every day. If you see a yellow tint, it might mean jaundice is getting worse. Also, watch their feeding habits, the color of their poop, and how active they are. Catching problems early helps get them the right medical care.

When to Seek Medical Help

It’s crucial to know when to get help from a doctor for jaundice. You should get advice right away if your baby seems tired, won’t eat, or if their skin and eyes keep getting yellower. Getting help quickly makes sure your baby gets the right treatment.

The Role of Acibadem Healthcare Group

Acibadem Healthcare Group leads in neonatal care, especially for newborn jaundice. They offer top-notch pediatric treatments and modern facilities. Their services are made for newborns‘ needs. They focus on giving the best care and attention to each baby.

Their team has skilled neonatologists and pediatric experts. They use the newest tools and methods to treat jaundice in newborns. They care for the whole baby, including teaching parents to help their child.

Acibadem’s places have the latest tech for treating jaundice. They have phototherapy units and advanced monitors. This makes them a reliable choice for parents wanting the best for their babies. With Acibadem, parents get detailed care plans and support during their baby’s recovery.