Jaundice in newborns is common and usually not serious, but it’s important to consult a doctor if it persists beyond a few days or appears after the first week. Physiological jaundice is normal and often lasts for several weeks, especially in breastfed babies. Treatment depends on the cause, with light therapy and blood transfusions being common options.
Jaundice in newborns is very common and most often it is not a serious problem that requires any treatment. That said, a doctor should always answer any questions or concerns about a newborn developing jaundice. While this may do little more than ease the parental mind, occasionally jaundice in newborns can indicate more serious conditions that need treatment.
When babies are born, their livers aren’t used to breaking down a byproduct of red blood cells, called bilirubin. It may take a few weeks or even a few months for the liver to mature enough to break down bilirubin properly, but in the meantime, the free-floating bilirubin creates yellowing of the skin and often the whites of the eyes. It is often most noticeable first on a baby’s face and can occur anytime from soon after birth to about a week after a baby is born. You can also notice the yellowish color if you press on the baby’s skin for a few seconds. If the skin remains yellow, for example on your baby’s forehead or nose, he or she may have jaundice.
The jaundice described in the previous paragraph is called physiological jaundice. It’s usually not a cause for concern, and most parents will notice it within a few days of having a baby. About half of full-term newborns have some degree of physiological jaundice and the percentage is even higher in premature newborns.
There are other causes of jaundice, which are not as benign. A very rough delivery, which resulted in bruising the baby or large hematomas, can cause jaundice within the first 24 hours after birth. Jaundice this early can also indicate an infection or RH incompatibility. The latter two are serious matters that need to be brought to the attention of a physician immediately. Babies are usually screened before they leave the hospital, but some women leave before 24 hours have passed after their baby is born. It’s a good idea to watch out if you see jaundice in newborns within the first 24 hours and take the baby back to the doctor or hospital for testing.
If you notice jaundice in a baby in his second week of life, where the yellowing wasn’t present before, that too could suggest a problem. It can indicate infections, liver problems, some hereditary blood disorders, or the lack of some vital enzymes. When a newborn hasn’t been jaundiced up to that point, it’s important to contact the doctor about this new symptom, as tests may be needed to determine the cause.
You should distinguish between jaundice in newborns that started when they were a few days old and jaundice that starts when they are two weeks old. In many cases, benign physiological jaundice persists for several weeks, especially if you are breastfeeding. This does not mean that breastfeeding is harmful or that jaundice that lasts for a few weeks will harm your baby. It should still be mentioned to a doctor, but keep in mind that breastfed babies are more likely to develop jaundice, and jaundice of this type can last for several weeks.
Treatment of jaundice in newborns largely depends on the cause. If a child has had severe bruises, a blood transfusion is sometimes needed. Another common treatment is light therapy, which helps break down bilirubin in the skin. When the jaundice is more pronounced but benign, parents can come home from the hospital with a bile blanket, a small blanket with lights that the baby is swaddled in for several hours a day to help with this crisis. Other types of jaundice may require different treatment, and in many cases mild physiological jaundice does not require any treatment.
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