Junking Jaundice

You just brought your newborn home from the hospital. In between the crying and feeding, you notice that he is yellowish in skin color. Your baby could have jaundice.

Jaundice, the most commonly treated medical condition in newborns, occurs when bilirubin, a toxic yellow pigment from worn out red blood cells, is produced faster than your infant’s liver can remove it from the bloodstream, causing the skin to appear yellow. In severe cases, the buildup of bilirubin can cause damage to the brain and central nervous system.

Jaundice affects 6 out of 10 babies. The vast majority of infants recover easily. In the infant’s liver, there is a lack of a chemical enzyme, glucuronyl transferase, necessary to produce the chemical reaction that prevents jaundice. The condition is a sign that the liver is malfunctioning. But a small percentage of babies suffer extreme jaundice that, if untreated, drastically damages their brains.

There are different types of jaundice such as:

·       Physiological jaundice. This is the most common type of jaundice. It is normal. After your baby’s liver develops, it will work to get rid of the excess bilirubin. Physiological jaundice usually lasts for about two weeks.

·       Breastfeeding jaundice. Jaundice occurs more frequently in breastfed babies than formula-fed babies. This usually occurs during your infant’s first week of life. It happens when babies don’t get enough milk. Breastfeeding jaundice may take longer to go away.

·       Breast milk jaundice. Substances in your breast milk can affect how your baby breaks down bilirubin. This may cause a bilirubin buildup. Breast milk jaundice may appear during your baby’s first week of life and may take a month or more to go away.

Some signs and symptoms that your baby may have jaundice are not just the yellowing of the skin, but also the whites of his eyes and whether there is yellow under the tongue. As the bilirubin builds up, the yellowing may spread from the face to your baby’s chest, belly, arms and legs.

Jaundice is caused by too much bilirubin. Your liver usually filters this out from your blood but a baby’s liver may not be developed enough to do that. Your baby’s body gets rid of it when he makes a bowel movement.

Severe jaundice can occur if your infant has:

·       A blood infection (sepsis).

·       A different blood type than you.

·       Bruising from a difficult birth.

·       Too many red blood cells.

·       A low oxygen level (hypoxia).

·       A liver condition such as biliary atresia.

Your doctor will check your baby for jaundice while you are still in the hospital. Your baby’s bilirubin levels are usually the highest when he is three to five days old.

Your doctor will place a probe on your infant’s head to measure the bilirubin level. If it is high, then your doctor will order a blood test. That means taking blood from your newborn’s heel to measure the total serum bilirubin level.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has established guidelines according to a chart on whether your baby needs treatment for jaundice. The chart goes by total serum bilirubin levels and age.

It usually isn’t necessary to treat your infant for jaundice. Mild levels of jaundice go away on their own as your baby’s liver continues to develop. This could take one to two weeks.

Feeding your baby according to a set schedule of 10 to 12 feedings per day may encourage more bowel movements. This can help get rid of the excess bilirubin.

If your baby’s bilirubin level remains high, then your doctor may recommend phototherapy. During phototherapy, your baby will only wear a diaper and mask to protect his eyes as he is placed under special blue lights. Phototherapy helps rid the body of excess bilirubin. This treatment takes one to two days.

If phototherapy doesn’t work, your baby’s doctor may recommend an exchange transfusion. With an exchange transfusion, some of your newborn’s blood is replaced with fresh, donated blood. But this is a rare circumstance.

Jaundice is a very common condition among newborns. It is important to have your baby’s bilirubin levels checked. A high bilirubin level can lead to serious complications with conditions such as cerebral palsy, deafness and kernicterus, a type of brain damage.

Jaundice is a temporary condition for most babies. You just have to be aware of it. If you suspect your baby has jaundice, get him to a doctor as soon as possible.