Jaundice - A Common Illness Among Newborns

Jaundice - Common Illness Among Newborns - Definitive Guide

Opening statements

Jaundice is a general situation that touches unweaned infants, usually happening less than four days after parturition. It’s characterized by the yellowing of skin and sclera, an indication of too much bilirubin in running blood. Consequently, this blog will cover all aspects of jaundice in new-borns such as causes, symptoms, diagnosis and prevention. By understanding this condition, parents and caregivers can ensure the best care for their newborns.

Table of Contents

What is newborn jaundice?

Because of it why newborns become yellow?

Physiological jaundice

Pathological jaundice

Jaundice from breast-feeding

Breast milk inducing jaundice

Signs indicating jaundice among infants

Determining whether an infant is yellow through physical examination

Bilirubin tests for determining if an infant is yellow

Additional diagnostic tests for determining if an infant is yellow

In addresses to neonatal jaundice treatment options

Phototherapy

Exchange Transfusion

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)

Home Treatment Options

Complications of Untreated Jaundice

Kernicterus

Cerebral Palsy

Hearing Loss

Preventing Jaundice in Newborns

Myths and Facts About Newborn Jaundice

When to Seek Medical Help

Conclusion: Caring for a Jaundiced Newborn

1. What is jaundice in newborns?

In medical terms, jaundice refers to a condition whose signs include yellowish discoloration of the skin, eyeballs, and other tissues as a result of large amounts of bilirubin which is a yellow pigment produced by normal breaking down of red blood cells. For infants, their livers responsible in processing bilirubin are not fully developed yet. Hence, they might lack sufficient ability to do away with it thus causing its accumulation within their bodies.
It is possible for infants to develop jaundice, which is a common occurrence among newborns as approximately 60% of newborns born with full-term undergo this condition while in premature babies that are born, there are about 80% who have such problems. Though it often clears up on its own, sometimes it may require medical attention in order to avert complications.

2. Causes of Jaundice in Newborns

There are many factors that can lead to jaundice in newborns, and knowing these factors is important for their appropriate management.

A.The physiological jaundice

Physiological jaundice is the most prevalent kind of jaundice found among neonates and is usually harmless. As a result of the immature liver not being able to cope with bilirubin quickly enough, physiological jaundice appears around the second or third day after birth and typically disappears within fourteen days without any treatment.

B.Pathological jaundice

Pathological jaundice indicates that there is an underlying cause which leads to excessive amounts of bilirubin produced or impaired utilization itself. This type includes:
An incompatibility between blood types of the mother and that of the baby (Rh or ABO incompatibility): When a mother's blood type does not match her baby's, it may cause destruction of red blood cells in the baby.
Infections: Jaundice can be caused by liver problems due to bacterial or viral infection affecting bilirubin processing in the liver.
Liver disorders: Hepatitis or bile duct obstruction are among the conditions that impede the clearance process of bilirubin.

Breastfeeding Jaundice

Lack of sufficient breast milk in a newborn leads to dehydration thus increasing the level of bilirubin resulting to breastfeeding jaundice. This may occur due to difficulties with latching on, or low milk supply.

Breast Milk Jaundice.

In a situation where elements within the mother’s breast milk affects how liver handles bilirubin there exists something referred to as breast milk jaundice- it occurs after approximately a week after birth and exists for several weeks before going away from newborns completely.

3. Symptoms of Jaundice in Newborns

It is important to identify symptoms of Jaundice early for quicker remedial action. The most prominent sign is the yellowing of skin and sclerae. Other possible symptoms include:
Dark urine (in contrast to the pale urine usually seen in newborns),
Pale-colored stools,
Lethargy or poor feeding,
High-pitched crying.

First and foremost, it is important to keep a close eye on your new born baby especially during their first week of life as this will help you identify if there are any signs of jaundice.

4. Diagnosing Jaundice in Newborns

Jaundice can only be diagnosed early enough to prevent any complications that might arise. Typically doctors diagnose jaundice through laboratory tests and physical examinations.

Physical Examination

In physical examination, the doctor examines for jaundice by pressing on the baby’s skin with a finger looking for yellowing. Moreover, one can estimate severity by assessing how wide spread yellowing is.

Bilirubin Tests

Bilirubin blood test is a common test done in most cases with newborn babies’ blood levels taken from heel prick blood sample; such results can help determine whether treatment should be administered or not considering normal levels remain between 1 – 12mg/dL although babies’ levels may vary but still lie within this range.
The doctor’s eye may spot jaundice through pressing baby’s skin so as to see whether it has become yellow other than its natural color hence indicating high degree of severeness.
There are two main types of blood tests that usually diagnose virgin jaundices, namely bilirubin and hemoglobin tests but also during pregnancy one has to undergo them if he/she is Rh negative person (<10% chance). Some may appear like it because they have high levels of tissue bilirubins.

Related Diagnostic Testings

The doctor’s eye might catch jaundice as well after pressing on baby’s skin whether it has turned yellow from that its usual color thus indicating severe case.
There are two significant categories of blood tests for diagnosing virgin jaundices: bilirubin and hemaglobin. However, during pregnancy women are sometimes required to have these tests done even if she is Rh negative individual (<10% chance). Others may resemble this condition because they possess elevated quantities of tissue bilirubins.

5. Newborn Jaundice Management Methods

Treatment for Jaundice in Newborns is determined by how bad the condition is and what caused it. Essentially, the aim is reducing bilirubin content to avoid complications;

Phototherapy

Phototherapy is most frequently used to treat jaundice. In this process, a child gets exposed under special blue light which aids in lowering bilirubin within their skin. It’s a safe and efficient procedure lasting just a few days;

Exchange Transfusion

In severe cases where bilitubrin blood levels are very high exchange transfusion can be performed. This implies taking out some part of the infant’s blood with some from other people’s and therefore reducing its concentration immediately;
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)

Babies with blood group incompatibility may also receive IVIG in order to eliminate the need for transfusion exchange therapy. The antibodies that destroy red cells causing hemolytic anemia in newborns are simply blocked by IVIGs available today;
Home Treatments Options
Occasionally, mild jaundice at times can be treated at home through increased feeding that helps hydration and bowel movements which eliminate bilirubin from the body.

6. If Jaundice Goes Untreated, What Happens?

Serious complications may occur if jaundice is not treated including;
Kernicterus

Kernicterus is a rare but devastating type of brain injury that occurs when very high concentrations of bilirubin reach the brain. This can cause lifelong disabilities such as:

Cerebral palsy consists of a range of disorders affecting motor control and muscle tone.
Hearing loss: structural damage to the auditory pathways.

7. How To Prevent Jaundice In Newborns

There are no preventive measures for all jaundices; however some actions may minimize occurrence:
Early and Frequent Feeding: Breastfeeding often during first days after birth might help in lowering level of bilirubin.
Monitoring High Risk Infants: You should look out for any signs of jaundice on infants exposed to such conditions as pre-term birth or Rh incompatibility.

8. Myths and Facts About Newborn Jaundice

There are numerous misconceptions with respect to jaundiced newborns. Later will be highlighted some examples of myths as well as their corresponding facts:
Myth: All kinds of jaundices signify serious issues.
Fact: Even though jaundice might be serious; it is very often an ordinary occurrence during new lives’ adjustment process from womb into world outside it.
Myth: Bad breastfeeding leads to jaundice.
Fact: Insufficient quantity of milk taken in results into breastfeed imminent from a breast.

9. When to Seek Medical Help

Any signs indicating that your baby could have jaundice should make you call for medical advice immediately especially if;

The yellow color seems to spread or get darker.
The baby is extremely sleepy or hard to wake up.
The baby does not feed well, has dark urine and pale stools.

If discovered in time, this [early] alertness avoids complications and helps keep babies healthy.

10. Conclusion: Caring for a Jaundiced Newborn

Jaundice is a frequent occurrence in neonates, and although it may create anxiety, it is typically manageable given appropriate care. By knowing the reasons, signs and ways of treating, parents will be ready to handle jaundice and keep their child's wellbeing intact.