Newborn Jaundice

It’s important for pregnant women to know what newborn jaundice is because there is a high possibility that a newborn baby may develop this condition. Jaundice can frighten mothers when they don’t know much about it, however, this condition can be treated easily and effectively.
What is jaundice?

There are two types of jaundice: physiological and pathological. Physiological jaundice, which usually appears on the second or third day after birth, is very common among newborns. It is not an illness, but rather a condition in which the baby’s blood contains too much bilirubin, a substance formed when the body breaks down red blood cells. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin and then it is removed from the body through the stools. However, a newborn’s liver is not fully mature and often cannot process bilirubin quickly enough. This is why physiological jaundice is common in newborns. When the level of bilirubin reaches 16 to 18 mg per deciliter of blood, the baby usually needs treatment. Premature babies are at a higher risk, since their livers are even less developed, and these babies must be monitored carefully for jaundice. Premature babies need treatment at 14 to 16 mg/dl.
Pathological jaundice, which is rare and much more serious, is a condition in which bilirubin levels get dangerously high (in the 25 mg/dl range), and this could lead to brain damage, deafness, cerebral palsy or developmental problems. While newborn jaundice is usually no cause for worry and only a very small percentage of babies develop pathological jaundice, it’s important for doctors to closely monitor newborn jaundice and treat it effectively to avoid bilirubin levels getting too high.
What are the symptoms of jaundice?
Parents should closely observe their newborns for jaundice when they come home after delivery.
(Many hospitals ask you to bring your baby back for a check-up a few days after birth, since this is when jaundice develops.)
• A yellowish coloration of the body is the most obvious sign of jaundice. It starts from the head and goes down to the toes. The yellow color is often most apparent in the whites of the eyes and under the nails. To check for jaundice, gently press your finger against your baby’s skin and then remove it: if the skin where you pressed looks yellow, then your baby may have jaundice.
Other symptoms to watch for are:
• Disinterest in eating
• Reduction in baby’s activity level
If you notice any symptoms, call your pediatrician right away. The doctor will do a physical examination of your baby and may conduct a blood test, the most accurate way of determining bilirubin levels.
How is it treated?
Mild newborn jaundice often disappears by itself in one or two weeks and does not require treatment.
If bilirubin levels don’t decrease, your baby will probably need phototherapy, the use of special fluorescent lights that give out ultraviolet rays at a special wavelength. Phototherapy is available in hospitals with incubators. Since these lights may be harmful to the baby’s eyes, they must be covered at all times. Home fluorescent lights are useless. An increase of fluids is also necessary, and some doctors may recommend more frequent breastfeeding, or in some cases, ask a breastfeeding mom to supplement with formula. Glucose does not cure newborn jaundice and should not be given.
If jaundice is prolonged, this could indicate that the baby has another condition that should be investigated. However, in most cases, treatment quickly solves the problem, and mother and child can continue to celebrate their new union.
Jaundice Fact
There is a rare type of physiological jaundice called “breast milk jaundice,” which is caused by breast milk. It is usually diagnosed by stopping breastfeeding for 24 hours and using formula instead. If jaundice decreases, the baby has breast milk jaundice. Some doctors advise mothers to switch to bottle-feeding until the jaundice disappears.