Jaundice is a common condition that affects many newborn babies characterized by a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. In newborns, jaundice is a common condition that affects up to 60% of full-term newborns and 80% of premature newborns. It is caused by a build-up of bilirubin, a waste product produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. While jaundice is often a harmless condition, it is important for you as parents to understand the causes, types, and treatments available for this condition in order to ensure the health of your newborn.
What Causes Jaundice in Newborns?
If you ask why jaundice in newborns, the most common cause of jaundice in newborns is physiological jaundice, which occurs when your baby’s liver is not yet fully developed and is unable to process bilirubin efficiently. This type of jaundice usually appears on the second or third day of life and typically resolves on its own within a few weeks.
Other types of jaundice in newborns are common reasons including breast milk jaundice, which is caused by a substance in breast milk that can interfere with the breakdown of bilirubin, and hemolytic jaundice, which occurs when there is an excessive breakdown of red blood cells, leading to a higher-than-normal level of bilirubin in their blood.
What are the Complications of Jaundice in Newborns?
While jaundice is usually a harmless condition, in some cases it can lead to complications. In severe cases, a high level of bilirubin in the blood can cause brain damage, a condition known as kernicterus. This can lead to cerebral palsy, deafness, and other developmental problems. However, it is important to note that this is a rare complication and can be prevented with prompt treatment.
Treatment of Jaundice in Newborns
The treatment for jaundice in newborns depends on the cause and severity of the condition. In most cases, jaundice will resolve on its own within a few weeks. However, in some cases, treatment may be necessary to prevent complications.
In cases of physiological jaundice, treatment may involve phototherapy, a process in which your baby is placed under special lights that help to break down the bilirubin in the skin. In severe cases, your baby may need to receive a blood transfusion to lower the level of bilirubin in the blood.
Breast milk jaundice can be treated by temporarily stopping breastfeeding and giving your baby formula instead. This allows the level of bilirubin to return to normal. Hemolytic jaundice may require treatment with medications or a blood transfusion.
Complications of jaundice in newborns can be prevented with prompt treatment. In cases of physiological jaundice, treatment may involve phototherapy, a process in which the baby is placed under special lights that help to break down the bilirubin in the skin. In severe cases, your baby may need to receive a blood transfusion to lower the level of bilirubin in the blood.
Pediatric Hospital and Jaundice in Newborns
In some cases, jaundice may require treatment in a pediatric hospital. This may be necessary if your baby has a high level of bilirubin in the blood or if there are concerns about complications such as kernicterus.
In a pediatric hospital, your baby will receive close monitoring and may be treated with phototherapy or other interventions as needed. You need not be alarmed if your baby requires treatment in a hospital, as this is a common and often effective way to manage jaundice in newborns.
It is important for you to follow the healthcare provider’s recommendations for monitoring and treating jaundice in their newborns. With prompt and appropriate treatment, the vast majority of cases of jaundice in newborns can be resolved without long-term complications.
How Long Does Jaundice Last in Newborns?
The duration of jaundice in newborns depends on the cause and severity of the condition. In most cases, jaundice will resolve on its own within a few weeks. Breast milk jaundice may last longer and can take several months to resolve.
It is important for parents to follow their healthcare provider’s recommendations for monitoring and treating jaundice in their newborns. With prompt and appropriate treatment, the vast majority of cases of jaundice in newborns can be resolved without long-term complications.
