Jaundice in newborns causes yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and can lead to brain damage if left untreated. Symptoms include lethargy, abnormal positioning, high-pitched crying, and strange muscle tone. Treatment includes phototherapy and exchange transfusions, and prompt medical attention is necessary to prevent serious side effects.
One of the most recognized symptoms of jaundice in newborns is yellowing of the skin and sclera, the whites of the eyes, as well as yellowing of the mucous membranes. Additionally, lethargy, development of abnormal head and back positioning, high-pitched crying, starvation of food, and development of strange muscle tone are also symptoms of jaundice. Jaundice in newborns can be treated effectively, but action must be taken as soon as possible to prevent serious and dangerous side effects. Without treatment, the condition can lead to brain damage. Doctors often use light therapy as a treatment, but other methods, such as exchange transfusions, may also be needed.
Jaundice in newborns is a fairly common condition, affecting approximately 50% of newborns. The condition is caused when excess red blood cells in a baby’s bloodstream during delivery rapidly die, forming bilirubin. Normally, your baby’s liver and normal nutrition and digestion will clear the substance from the bloodstream. In many cases, however, many children’s livers may not be able to handle the load. Instead, bilirubin builds up and can cause the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes to look yellow, and can make the baby’s urine look dark yellow.
One of the most serious symptoms of jaundice in newborns is lethargy. A normal baby should be easy to wake up and should wake up fully. If a newborn can’t wake up easily or is unable to stay awake, it could be a symptom of jaundice. If the baby experiences abnormal arching of the head and back, a high-pitched cry, or strange muscle tone, parents should seek treatment for their baby. These symptoms could be signs of brain damage due to bilirubin buildup and you should seek immediate medical attention.
Phototherapy can turn bilirubin into a water-soluble substance that can be easily removed from the body. This is why some babies are placed under lamps when they have neonatal jaundice. Other treatments may include exchange transfusions, a procedure in which blood is removed from a patient and new blood is transfused. Either way, if a parent notices signs of jaundice in the newborn, she should rush the baby for emergency medical care. Brain damage caused by jaundice in newborns can be avoided or reduced if the baby is treated as soon as possible.
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