Babies with jaundice have a yellow coloring of the skin and eyes. This happens when there is too much bilirubin in the baby's blood. Show Bilirubin (bill-uh-ROO-bin) is a yellow substance that comes from the normal breakdown of red blood cells. The liver removes bilirubin from the blood and passes it into the bowels so it can leave the body. A newborn baby's liver does not remove bilirubin as well as an adult's does. Jaundice (JON-diss) happens when bilirubin builds up faster than the liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Most types of jaundice go away on their own. Others need treatment to lower bilirubin levels. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Jaundice?A baby with jaundice has skin that looks yellow. It starts on the face, then the chest and stomach, and then the legs. The whites of a baby's eyes also look yellow. Babies with very high bilirubin levels may be sleepy, fussy, floppy, or have trouble feeding. Jaundice may be hard to see, especially in babies with dark skin. If you're unsure, gently press the skin on your baby's nose or forehead. If it's jaundice, the skin will appear yellow when you lift your finger. Call the doctor if your baby:
What Causes Jaundice in Newborns?Most healthy newborns have physiological ("normal") jaundice. This happens because newborns have more blood cells than adults do. These blood cells don't live as long, so more bilirubin is made when they break down. This kind of jaundice appears 2–4 days after the baby is born and goes away by the time a baby is 2 weeks old. A baby is more likely to get jaundice when he or she:
How Is Jaundice Diagnosed?Doctors can tell if a baby has jaundice based on a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. All newborns are checked for jaundice before leaving the hospital or birth center. Babies with jaundice will get a blood test to check bilirubin levels. Sometimes, a light machine that measures bilirubin in the skin is used. But if the level is high, a blood test must confirm the result. High bilirubin levels can lead to serious problems. So doctors carefully watch babies with jaundice. How Is Jaundice Treated?Treatment depends on the cause of the jaundice, the bilirubin levels, and a baby's age. Mild jaundice goes away after 1 or 2 weeks as a baby's body gets rid of the extra bilirubin on its own. For newborns with breastfeeding jaundice, mothers should breastfeed the baby more often. If the baby is not getting enough breast milk, the doctor may suggest supplementing with formula. For more serious cases of jaundice, treatment should start as soon as possible. Babies may get:
What Else Should I Know?Call the doctor if your baby has jaundice that isn't going away. Babies with jaundice for longer than 2 weeks need more testing to check for other things that cause jaundice. These include infections, and problems with the liver or bile system, metabolism, or genes. What is the nursing management of neonatal jaundice?Treatment may consist of both ensuring adequate hydration, and encouraging photo-degradation of unconjugated bilirubin in the skin by the provision of phototherapy. This may prevent serum bilirubin levels rising to levels where exchange transfusion would be necessary.
What are the drugs used in neonatal jaundice?Previously studied pharmacological agents such as D-penicillamine, phenobarbital and clofibrate may yet prove useful. Recent clinical trials using metalloporphyrins to inhibit heme catabolism and bilirubin production provides a novel pharmacological intervention for the treatment of neonatal jaundice.
Which medicine is used for treating jaundice?A healthcare professional may prescribe medications for those experiencing moderate to severe pruritis, such as cholestyramine or colestipol. As jaundice may sometimes indicate damage to the liver, a liver transplant may be necessary in some cases, depending on the severity of the injury.
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