Jaundice is a disease of the liver in which the skin turns yellow, and the eyes turn white.

Jaundice is one of the most common problems in the new born.

Jaundice in children may be a sign of a more serious health problem. It occurs when the amount of bilirubin in the blood increases.

I had earlier shared Hyperbilirubinemia In Newborn I hope you read the post.

Types of jaundice

Physiological Jaundice

About 60% of term babies and 70% of preterm babies are affected by this jaundice at 1st week after birth. it is known as a physiological jaundice

Causes:

Immature liver
Increased bilirubin load on liver cells
Increased RBCs destruction
Decreased serum albumin concentration
Decreased bilirubin excretion
Defective bilirubin conjugation

Pathological Jaundice

Pathological jaundice is the most harmful jaundice in children.
Baby is affected by this jaundice, mostly within 24 hours after birth.

Breast milk Jaundice

It is late-onset jaundice, which is occurring 5-6 days infant. 2-3% of babies are affected by this type of disease.
Causes:- It caused by breast milk factor like, Pregnanediol, fatty acid, B glucuronidase

Breastfeeding Jaundice

This jaundice is affected by that child who has not got an adequate amount of breast milk or breastfeeding.
10-25% of breastfed babies are affected by this type of jaundice.

I have already covered Breastfeeding And It’s Techniques in depth:

Causes of jaundice

Suddenly raised bilirubin level
Liver disease
Incompatibility of blood
Neonate sepsis
Hereditary spherocytosis
Metabolic disorder
Galactosemia
Hypothyroidism

Also see: Premature Infant: Cause, Treatment, And Health Problem In Pregnancy

Symptoms of jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin
Lethargy
Refusal to feed
Dark urine and stool

Diagnostic evaluation of jaundice

Physical examination
Serum bilirubin estimation:- above 5 mg/ dl
Noninvasive method:-Ingram micrometer
Transcutaneous bilirubin meter

Management of jaundice

Exchange blood transfusion
Phototherapy – Phototherapy used for fluorescent light for the conversion of unconjugated bilirubin into conjugated bilirubin
Phototherapy is working on three principles:-
Geometricisomerization
Structural isomerization
Oxidation

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Treatment of jaundice

Bilirubin absorbed the blue light 420-500nm maximum, and the daylight and white light are 550-600nm. That is why it is less effective.
In this technique, we use a combination of white and blue light.
Baby should be kept naked except diaper on the body.
Eyes of the infant should shield to prevent eye patches and protect the damage of the retina.
Keep baby at a distance of about 45 cm from light sources.
Baby’s position should be changed frequently.
Expose all body parts in front of light sources.

Complications of jaundice

A Complication of Phototherapy

Increase environmental and body temperature
Retinal damage
Bronze baby syndrome
Congenital erythropoietin porphyria

A Complication of Jaundice

Transient encephalopathy (neurological dysfunction)
Kernicterus (toxicity of bilirubin)

Phase 1

Poor sucking
Lethargy
Hypotonic

Phase 2

Fever
Hypotonic
Opisthotonus position

Phase 3

Pitch cry
Convulsions
Death may occur

Apart from these article, I recommend you to read following posts that will help you to reduce the risk:

What Is Vitamin K? | Vitamin K Dependent Factors

Still have any questions about jaundice? Ask in the comments section!

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Jaundice In Newborn Child: Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

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