Jaundice in newborns: 7 causes, prevention and treatment
Jaundice is one of mothers’ biggest worries. Neonatal jaundice, sometimes referred to as jaundice in neonates, is a common illness that causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow. Too much bilirubin—a yellow pigment produced during the natural breakdown of red blood cells—usually causes it. Although typically not dangerous, it’s crucial to comprehend the causes and methods of treatment to guarantee appropriate care.
reasons why newborns have jaundice
1. Jaundice that is physiological
Physiological jaundice is the most prevalent kind of jaundice in infants; it usually goes away in 1-2 weeks after the baby is delivered, starting 2-4 days after the delivery. The cause is that newborns’ immature liver function frequently prevents them from processing bilirubin effectively.
2. jaundice from breastfeeding
Definition: Affects breastfed infants; frequently brought on by inadequate breast milk consumption in the first few days of life.
Cause: Dehydration and a low-calorie diet may cause the body to remove less bilirubin.
3. Breast milk jaundice:
This jaundice manifests after the first week of life and may last longer than usual. The cause is that ingredients in breast milk may interfere with the body’s bilirubin processing.
4. Blood group incompatibility jaundice
Blood Incompatibilities between the mother and the child as in the case of Rh or ABO incompatibilities Cause: Maternal antibodies attack the baby’s red blood cells, raising the bilirubin generation.
5. Premature birth jaundice:
These are births that occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The livers of premature neonates are less developed, and their red blood cell turnover is higher.
6. Disorders involving hemolysis
Definition: Conditions that lead to a higher red blood cell lysis rate. Examples include hereditary spherocytosis and G6PD deficiency.
7. Infections:
Jaundice in newborns can occasionally result from infections.
Examples include urinary tract infections and sepsis.
8. Additional reasons
Examples include internal bleeding, birth trauma, and specific enzyme deficits.
Management of jaundice in neonates
The intensity and underlying etiology of newborn jaundice determine the course of treatment. These are typical therapeutic approaches:
1. Phototherapy:
The most widely used remedy for severe jaundice.
Method: Babies are exposed to a particular kind of light to aid in the breakdown of bilirubin in the skin. The types are fiber-optic blankets and traditional phototherapy.
2. Transfusion exchange
Definition: An advanced course of treatment for more severe situations. Method: To rapidly reduce bilirubin levels, donor blood replaces the baby’s blood.
3. Definition of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG):
A treatment for infants whose blood groups are incompatible.
Method: By reducing antibody levels, IVIG can lessen the requirement for exchange transfusions.
4. Drinking water and eating
Method: Encouraging regular bowel movements, eliminating bilirubin, and ensuring the baby is well-hydrated and fed regularly can help lower bilirubin levels.
5. Handling underlying illnesses
Examples include using antibiotics to treat infections and managing hemolytic diseases.
Observation and investigation.
1. Levels of bilirubin
Monitoring: Effective monitoring of bilirubin levels is critical for effective treatment, and some monitoring strategies include a transcutaneous bilirubin meter and blood testing.
2. A physical assessment
Examining Symptoms: Looking for signs of weakness, poor eating, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
3. Rescheduled meetings
Goal: Make sure jaundice goes away and watch for any potential issues.
Avoidance
1. Regular and early meals
Nursing: Early and regular nursing is encouraged to enhance bilirubin elimination. Combination Feeding: Providing enough food if nursing is not an option.
2. Keeping an eye on babies who are at risk
Premature Infants: When a child is premature, close monitoring of the bilirubin level becomes critical because of several factors, such as underdeveloped organs and other blood-related complications.
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